Privacy Policy
Last revised: November 3, 2026
The Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority (the “TCTDA”) respects your privacy. The TCTDA is a body politic that owns and uses the Explore Brevard brand. In this policy, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to the TCTDA.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit explorebrevard.com or use a website, form, email, application, partner portal, or other online service that links to this policy (collectively, the “Services”). We strive to collect information needed to provide and improve the Services. The TCTDA may update this policy and the information on this page from time to time.
Specific to Information Available on This Website
This policy applies to information collected through the Services. It does not apply to websites or services operated independently by third parties, even when we link to them. Those third parties’ privacy policies govern their collection and use of information.
Depending on how you use the Services, you may provide information such as:
- Your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number, and other contact information;
- Newsletter preferences;
- Information submitted through contact, media, event, sweepstakes, guide-request, grant, partner-registration, partner-portal, or other forms;
- A username, password, business information, listings, event information, photographs, and other materials submitted through the partner portal;
- Employment application materials, if applicable;
- Comments, questions, requests, complaints, or other correspondence; and
- Social media handles, content, and permissions you choose to provide.
Please do not send sensitive personal information unless it is specifically requested and necessary for the purpose of the form or communication.
Notices Regarding Software, Documents and Services Available on This Website
The Services may include accounts, listings, event information, photographs, and other materials submitted through the partner portal. We may use submitted information and materials to respond to requests, provide services, administer programs, and review, publish, or manage listings, events, photographs, and other submissions.
Some forms are provided through Jotform, including partner marketing request forms and grant forms. When you submit information through these forms, it is provided to the TCTDA and hosted or processed through Jotform’s platform. Jotform’s privacy practices also apply to its handling of information through that platform. You can review the Jotform Privacy Policy.
Links to Third Party Sites
The Services may link to or embed content from independent websites, social networks, mapping services, booking providers, tourism partners, and other third parties. These services are not under the TCTDA’s control. We are not responsible for their privacy, security, content, or practices. Review the privacy policies of any third-party service you use.
Anonymous Visitor Information Collection
When you use the Services, we and our service providers may automatically collect information such as:
- Internet Protocol (IP) address;
- Browser, device, and operating-system information;
- Referring and exit pages;
- Pages viewed, links clicked, dates and times of visits, and other interactions with the Services;
- General geographic information derived from an IP address; and
- Information collected through cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, and similar technologies.
We use this information to understand website use, measure campaign performance, improve the visitor experience, detect fraud or technical problems, and help secure the Services. We may also use aggregated or de-identified information for lawful purposes.
Usage of Cookies
A cookie is a small data file stored on a browser or device. We may use session cookies, which expire when a browsing session ends, and persistent cookies, which remain for a defined period or until deleted. We may also use pixels, web beacons, tags, and similar technologies.
These technologies may include:
- Essential technologies, which support core website functions, security, forms, and account access;
- Preference technologies, which remember settings and choices;
- Analytics technologies, which help us understand traffic, usage patterns, errors, and campaign performance;
- Advertising technologies, which help measure or deliver advertising; and
- Social media technologies, which support embedded content or sharing features.
Some technologies are provided by third parties. Information collected by a third party is also subject to that third party’s privacy policy.
You can manage cookies through any cookie-preference tool made available on the Services and through your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may cause parts of the Services to function improperly. You may opt out of Google Analytics using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
How We Use Information
We may use information to:
- Provide, operate, maintain, secure, and improve the Services;
- Respond to questions, requests, applications, registrations, and other submissions;
- Fulfill requests for visitor information or an Adventure Guide;
- Administer newsletters, promotions, contests, surveys, grants, partner programs, and partner accounts;
- Communicate about the TCTDA’s news, programs, services, events, and destination information, where permitted;
- Enforce applicable terms and policies; and
- Comply with legal obligations and protect the rights, safety, and property of the TCTDA, users, and others.
Disclosure of Information
We do not sell or rent personal information. We may disclose information:
- To vendors and service providers that support website hosting, forms, email delivery, analytics, advertising, content management, social media, security, or other operations;
- To tourism partners or other parties when necessary to fulfill a request you make, or when you direct or consent to the disclosure;
- To law enforcement, courts, regulators, or other parties when required or permitted by law;
- When reasonably necessary to protect rights, safety, property, or the integrity of the Services;
- In connection with an organizational transition or transfer of operations, where legally permitted; and
- In aggregated or de-identified form that does not reasonably identify an individual.
We do not disclose personally identifiable information to unaffiliated third parties for their independent use except as described in this policy or when required or permitted by law. We seek to limit employee access to personal information to what is needed to perform their duties.
North Carolina Public Records
As a North Carolina public authority, the TCTDA is subject to applicable public-records requirements. Information submitted to the TCTDA may constitute a public record and may be subject to inspection, disclosure, retention, or disposition under applicable North Carolina law. We cannot guarantee confidentiality or deletion when the law requires us to preserve or disclose a record.
Email Communications
If you subscribe to a promotional email list, you may unsubscribe using the link in an email. We may still send non-promotional communications related to a request, registration, account, transaction, security matter, or legal obligation.
Children’s Privacy
The Services are intended for a general audience and are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without legally valid consent. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the Services, please contact us.
Unauthorized Access
Unauthorized attempts to modify information stored on the Services, defeat or circumvent security features, or use the Services for purposes other than their intended purposes are prohibited.
If you create an account, you are responsible for protecting your login credentials and restricting access to your account and devices. Use a unique password, sign out after using a shared device, and notify us promptly if you believe your account has been accessed without authorization.
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information. No internet transmission or storage system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, to meet applicable records-retention requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.
Contact Us
Questions about this policy may be directed through the Explore Brevard contact page or by mail:
Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority
175 East Main Street
Brevard, NC 28712
Disclaimer
This policy describes the TCTDA’s practices as of the “Last revised” date above. The TCTDA may update this policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated as required by law.
User-Generated Content Terms
Giving the TCTDA Permission to Use Your Content
When the TCTDA, through its Explore Brevard social media accounts, comments on or otherwise contacts you about a specific photograph, video, caption, audio recording, or other material you posted online (collectively, “Content”) and asks for permission to use it, your affirmative reply granting permission means that you agree to these User-Generated Content Terms. An affirmative reply may include, for example, “yes,” “I agree,” “you have permission,” or another response that clearly communicates your consent.
You grant the TCTDA and its affiliates, successors, assigns, licensees, sublicensees, agents, contractors, service providers, and authorized representatives a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid, perpetual, transferable, and sublicensable license to use, reproduce, store, edit, adapt, crop, resize, combine with other material, create derivative works from, publish, distribute, display, perform, transmit, and otherwise use all or any portion of the Content for any lawful tourism, destination-marketing, advertising, promotional, informational, archival, or public-relations purpose in any media now known or later developed.
This includes, without limitation, websites, social media channels, digital advertising, email, mobile applications, presentations, displays, print publications, brochures, visitor guides, and other marketing materials. You agree that the TCTDA may use the Content without further approval or compensation and may request that you sign documents reasonably necessary to confirm these rights.
The TCTDA is under no obligation to use any Content for which permission has been granted.
The Content may be stored in the TCTDA’s content library and made available to its employees, contractors, service providers, licensees, sublicensees, and other authorized parties that assist the TCTDA in producing, managing, or distributing Explore Brevard marketing materials. Any such access or use remains subject to the license and purposes described in these terms.
You retain any ownership rights you otherwise hold in your Content. The license granted to the TCTDA is irrevocable, subject to the voluntary takedown process in Section 18 and any rights that cannot lawfully be waived.
Your Representations and Warranties
By granting permission, you represent and warrant that:
- You are at least 18 years old, have the legal capacity to agree to these terms, and are not impersonating another person;
- You own the Content or have obtained all permissions needed to grant the rights described here;
- You have the necessary rights to all elements of the Content, including photographs, video, audio, music, artwork, trademarks, performances, locations, and other protected material;
- You have obtained appropriate permission or releases from every identifiable person appearing in the Content and, for anyone under 18, permission from that person’s parent or legal guardian;
- The TCTDA’s authorized use of the Content will not infringe or violate another person’s copyright, trademark, patent, trade-secret, privacy, publicity, contractual, moral, or other rights;
- The Content is not false, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, unlawful, threatening, obscene, or otherwise illegal;
- The Content does not contain another person’s sensitive or personally identifiable information unless you have lawful permission to share it; and
- You will disclose if the Content was materially created or altered using generative artificial intelligence. Routine editing, including cropping, color correction, exposure adjustment, sharpening, noise reduction, and similar enhancements, does not require disclosure; and
- You have disclosed any material connection, sponsorship, payment, free product, or other consideration associated with creating or posting the Content when disclosure is required by law.
Creative Treatment, Credit, and Moral Rights
You authorize the TCTDA to make reasonable creative edits and treatments, including cropping, resizing, reformatting, captioning, combining, and adapting the Content. To the extent permitted by law, you waive and agree not to assert moral rights or similar rights in connection with the TCTDA’s authorized use.
The TCTDA will make reasonable efforts to credit you when practical and when you have supplied sufficient identifying information. Credit is not guaranteed, and an inadvertent or omitted credit will not constitute a breach of these terms.
Compensation and Confidentiality
Unless the TCTDA and you separately agree in writing, you will not receive payment, royalties, or other compensation for granting permission or for the TCTDA’s use of the Content.
Content submitted or made available for use is non-confidential and may be publicly displayed and shared. People worldwide may be able to view it.
Release and Indemnification
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release the TCTDA and its officers, officials, employees, agents, contractors, licensees, and sublicensees from claims, demands, damages, liabilities, and causes of action arising from an authorized use of the Content, including claims based on copyright, privacy, publicity, or modification of the Content.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the TCTDA and its officers, officials, employees, agents, and contractors from claims, liabilities, damages, losses, judgments, costs, and reasonable attorneys’ fees arising from your breach of these User-Generated Content Terms. In such a matter, the TCTDA may assume control of the defense, and you agree to reasonably cooperate.
Nothing in these terms waives any governmental immunity, defense, limitation of liability, or other protection available to the TCTDA under law.
Takedown Requests
You may ask the TCTDA to stop future use of your Content by submitting a request through the Explore Brevard contact page. Identify the Content, the social media account from which it originated, and where you saw the TCTDA use it.
The TCTDA will make reasonable efforts to remove the Content from websites and social media accounts it controls within 30 days after acknowledging a complete request. A takedown request does not require the TCTDA to recall, destroy, or discontinue materials already printed, published, distributed, scheduled, archived, licensed to third parties, or incorporated into other works. It also does not affect uses made before the request or the TCTDA’s legal record-retention obligations.
Suspension or Termination of Access
The right to access an account or Service may be suspended or terminated by the TCTDA, with or without notice, when reasonably necessary to address a violation of these terms or another applicable policy; protect the Services, the TCTDA, users, or others; comply with law; or discontinue a Service. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect.
Governing Law and Severability
These User-Generated Content Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. If a provision is found unenforceable, it will be limited or removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in effect.