Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 14, 2026 

Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance (“MBDA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining a quality online experience for our website users. This Privacy Policy describes the types of personal information we may collect from you or that you may provide when you visit https://mbdowntown.org/ (“Website”) and our practices for handling, storing, and protecting that information, as well as your rights in relation to your personal information and how you can contact us if you have questions about how we handle your personal information. 

PRIVACY POLICY CONSENT 

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully and in its entirety before using our Website. If you do not agree with our policies and practices regarding your personal information and how we will treat it, your choice is to not use our Website. Your use of our Website constitutes your voluntary acceptance to be bound by this Privacy Policy. 

This Privacy Policy applies to the information we collect: 

• On this Website 
• In email, text, and other electronic messages between you and this Website 
• When you interact with our advertising on third-party websites and services, if that advertising includes links to this Privacy Policy 

It does not apply to information that is collected by: 

• Us offline or through any other means, including on any other website operated by any third party 
• Any third party through any content (including advertising) that may link to or be accessible from the Website 

CHILDREN’S ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT (COPPA) 

This Website and any products and services offered herein are not intended for persons under the age of 18. We prohibit children under the age of 18 from using any and all interactive portions of this Website, including leaving comments, filling out forms, or otherwise submitting information. 

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible. A child’s parent or guardian should contact us at info@mbdowntown.org if we have inadvertently collected any information or content from that child without the parent or guardian’s authorization. 

CAN-SPAM ACT OF 2003 

We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that we are in compliance with the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act of 2003. We will not send misleading information and provide clear opt-out mechanisms in all marketing communications. 

1. INFORMATION WE COLLECT 

The type of personal information we collect depends on how you are interacting with us. We generally collect the following categories of personal information: 

A. Information You Provide Directly 

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including: 

• Contact information: Name, email address, mailing address, phone number 
• Payment information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely through third-party payment processors). We do not store your complete credit card or debit card number, expiration date, or PIN number 
• Communications: Records and copies of your correspondence (including email address) if you contact us 
• Transaction details: Information about transactions you carry out through our Website and fulfillment of your orders 
• Event information: Details you provide when registering for events, programs, or services 
• Business information: Company name, business type, and other professional information 
• SMS consent: Your phone number and consent when you opt in to receive text messages 
• Comments and feedback: Questions and other information you provide to us 

B. Information Collected Automatically 

When you visit our Website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing actions: 

• Device information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers 
• Usage data: Details of your visits to our Website, including traffic data, location data, logs, and other communication data and the resources that you access and use on the Website 
• Location information: General geographic location based on IP address 
• Cookies and tracking technologies: Data collected through cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar technologies 

C. Sources of Personal Information 

We collect personal information from you when you: 

• Subscribe to or purchase our products and/or services 
• Complete a contact or information request form 
• Visit, interact with, or use our Website 
• Open emails or click links in emails from us 
• Interact with our content on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) 
• Third-party sources: Marketing and advertising partners, event partners and co-sponsors, and publicly available sources 

2. TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES WE USE 

Our Website uses various tracking technologies to enhance your experience and help us understand how our services are used: 

A. Cookies 

Cookies are small text files that are placed on a computer or other device and used to identify the user or device and to collect information. Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting (“first party cookies”) or by third parties who provide advertising or analytics services on the website (“third party cookies”). 

We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which stay on your device until deleted or expired). Types of cookies we use include: 

• Essential cookies: Necessary for website functionality 
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website 
• Marketing cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements 
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and preferences 

You can disable cookies through your web browser’s settings, but disabling this function may diminish your experience on our Website as some features may not work as intended. 

B. Google Analytics 

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics collects information such as how often users visit our site, what pages they visit, and what other sites they used prior to coming to our site. We use this information to improve our website and services. 

Google Analytics uses cookies and collects IP addresses, but does not identify individual users or associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. For more information on Google Analytics’ privacy practices, visit: https://policies.google.com/privacy 

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout 

C. Facebook Pixel and Social Media Tracking 

We use the Facebook Pixel and other social media tracking technologies to: 

• Measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns 
• Understand how users interact with our content on social media platforms 
• Deliver targeted advertisements to users who have visited our website 
• Build custom audiences for advertising purposes 

These technologies collect information about your browsing activity, including pages visited and actions taken on our website. This information is shared with the respective social media platforms according to their privacy policies. 

D. Interest-Based Advertising 

Our Website allows third parties to collect certain personal information during your visit to provide interest-based advertising to you. We work with third-party advertising partners who may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your online activities across different websites and services to provide targeted advertising. This practice is known as interest-based advertising or online behavioral advertising. 

Website users may opt out of interest-based advertising by: 

• Going to your account privacy settings in your browser and turning off personalization 
• Going to the Digital Advertising Alliance’s opt out tool: http://optout.aboutads.info 
• Going to the Network Advertising Initiative’s opt out tool: https://www.networkadvertising.org/choices 
• Going to https://www.youronlinechoices.com/, if you’re based in the EU 

E. “Do Not Track” (DNT) Signals 

Some browsers transmit Do Not Track (DNT) signals to websites. Due to the lack of a common interpretation of DNT signals throughout the industry, we do not currently alter, change, or respond to DNT requests or signals from these browsers. 

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION 

We process personal information about you on one or more of the following lawful bases: 

• To perform a contract 
• With your consent 
• For our legitimate interests 
• To comply with the law 
• To protect someone’s life 
• Public task 

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including: 

A. Service Delivery and Operations 

• Process and fulfill an order, download, subscription, or other transaction 
• Carry out our obligations and enforce our rights arising from any contracts entered into between you and us, including for billing and collection 
• Providing, maintaining, and improving our website and services 
• Managing event registrations and participation 
• Responding to your inquiries and providing customer support 
• Sending administrative information, updates, and notices 
• Notify you about changes to our Website or any products or services we offer 

B. Communications and Marketing 

• Send marketing emails (with your consent) 
• Delivering SMS messages about events, programs, and updates (with your express consent) 
• Inform you of and administer promotions, contests, sweepstakes, or surveys 
• Conducting surveys and gathering feedback 
• Personalizing your experience and delivering relevant content 

C. Analytics and Improvement 

• Help us address problems with and improve our Website 
• Analyzing website usage and trends 
• Understanding user preferences and behavior 
• Improving our services, programs, and initiatives 
• Developing new features and offerings 

D. Legal and Security 

• Protect the security and integrity of our Website 
• Complying with legal obligations and responding to legal requests 
• Protecting against fraud, security threats, and illegal activity 
• Enforcing our terms of service and other agreements 
• Protecting the rights, property, and safety of MBDA, our users, and others 

E. Legitimate Business Interests 

• Conducting research and analysis to improve downtown Myrtle Beach 
• Supporting our mission of downtown revitalization and placemaking 
• Building community engagement and participation 
• Measuring the effectiveness of our programs and initiatives 
• Contact you for other business reasons, if necessary 

4. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION 

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. We will not sell or share your personal information and have not done so in the last 12 months. 

Depending on how you interact with us, we may share information in the following circumstances: 

A. Service Providers 

We share information with third-party service providers, agents, and representatives who perform services on our behalf based on our instructions and in compliance with this Privacy Policy and appropriate confidentiality and security measures. Our current third-party service providers include: 

• Payment processors (for secure transaction processing) 
• Twilio (SMS/text message communication platform) 
• Email service providers 
• Google Analytics (website analytics) 
• Facebook/Meta (social media advertising and analytics) 
• Website hosting providers 
• Event management and registration platforms 
• IT and security service providers 

These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us and to protect the security and confidentiality of your information. 

B. Business Partners and Co-Sponsors 

We may share information with event partners, sponsors, and collaborators when you participate in joint programs or events. We will notify you when such sharing will occur and provide you the opportunity to opt out. 

C. Legal Requirements and Protection 

We will disclose your personal information if we have a good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to: 

• Meet any applicable law, regulation, legal process, court order, or other legal obligation 
• Detect, investigate, and help prevent security, fraud, or technical issues 
• Enforce our terms of service and other agreements 
• Protect the rights, property, and safety of MBDA, our users, employees, and the public 

D. Business Transfers 

We may transfer your personal information to a third party in the event of a bankruptcy, dissolution, merger, sale, acquisition, or change of control. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information. 

E. With Your Consent 

We may share your information for any other purpose with your express consent. 

F. Aggregated or De-Identified Information 

We may share aggregated or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you, without restriction. 

5. DATA RETENTION 

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the transactions you have requested, or for other essential purposes such as complying with our legal obligations, maintaining business and financial records, resolving disputes, maintaining security, detecting and preventing fraud and abuse, and enforcing our agreements, or until such time as you let us know you would like for us to delete it or unsubscribe from our marketing contacts. 

Factors we consider when determining retention periods include: 

• The length of time you use our services and whether you have an ongoing relationship with us 
• Whether there is a legal obligation to retain the data 
• Whether retention is advisable given our legal position 
• Applicable statute of limitations periods 

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it. 

6. SECURITY 

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our Website uses commercially acceptable security measures to prevent your personal information from being lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way. 

These measures include: 

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL/TLS) encryption 
• We never transmit your credit card information via email 
• Regular security assessments and updates 
• Access controls and authentication requirements 
• Employee training on data protection and security 
• Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access to personally identifiable information 
• Vendor security requirements 

If you receive an email from us that appears to be a request for personal information, do not respond because it may be a phishing scam designed to steal your personal information. 

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. Although we do our best to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee the security of your personal information transmitted to our Website. Any transmission of personal information is at your own risk. 

Should there be a data breach, we will notify you when we are legally required to do so. 

7. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS AND CHOICES 

Local data protection laws may give you rights with respect to personal information if you are located in or a resident of that country, state, or territory. 

Important: These rights are not guaranteed and it is important for you to consult your local data protection laws to determine what rights may be available to you. These rights are not absolute and they do not always apply in all cases. We will honor your rights under applicable data protection laws. 

A. Access and Disclosure Rights 

Right to Know/Access: You may have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and request a copy of that information. 

Applies to residents of: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Australia, Canada, Quebec, the European Union/European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom. 

B. Correction and Rectification Rights 

Right to Correct: You may have the right to request that we correct inaccurate personal information. 

Applies to residents of: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Australia, Canada, Quebec, the European Union/European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom. 

C. Deletion and Erasure Rights 

Right to Delete: You may have the right to request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (such as legal retention requirements). 

Applies to residents of: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, the European Union/European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom. 

D. Opt-Out Rights 

You have the right to opt out of: 

• Email marketing: Click the “unsubscribe” link in any promotional email or contact us at info@mbdowntown.org 
• SMS messages: Reply “STOP” to any text message or contact us at info@mbdowntown.org 
• Interest-based advertising: Use cookie settings or methods described in Section 2D 
• Sale or sharing of personal information: Available to residents of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia (though we do not sell or share personal information) 

E. Data Portability Rights 

Right to Data Portability: You may have the right to receive a copy of your personal information in a portable, machine-readable format that allows you to transmit the information to another entity. 

Applies to residents of: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Quebec, the European Union/European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom. 

F. Right to Nondiscrimination 

Right to Nondiscrimination: You have the right to equal service and price even if you exercise your privacy rights. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights. 

Applies to residents of: California, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. 

G. Additional Rights for Certain Residents 

Depending on your location, you may also have: 

• Right to withdraw consent: Available to residents of Canada, Quebec, the European Union/European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom 
• Right to restriction of processing: Available to residents of the European Union/European Economic Area and the United Kingdom 
• Right to object to processing: Available to residents of the European Union/European Economic Area and the United Kingdom 
• Right to complain: Lodge a complaint with competent authorities. Available to residents of Australia, Canada, Quebec, the European Union/European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom 

8. CALIFORNIA-SPECIFIC PRIVACY RIGHTS 

A. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) 

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including: 

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold 
• Right to delete personal information 
• Right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information 
• Right to correct inaccurate personal information 
• Right to limit the use of sensitive personal information 
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights 

We do not sell personal information as defined by California law. To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at info@mbdowntown.org or call 843-839-0129. 

B. California “Shine the Light” Law (Civil Code Section 1798.83) 

California Civil Code Section 1798.83, also known as the “Shine the Light” law, permits users of our Website that are California residents to request certain information regarding our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. 

To make such a request, please contact us using the information provided in Section 14 below. 

9. EXERCISING YOUR RIGHTS 

To exercise any of the rights specified in Sections 7 and 8, please submit a request via email to info@mbdowntown.org or call 843-839-0129. 

Verification of Identity: Please provide us with enough information to verify your identity. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request. If we cannot verify your identity, we may not be able to fulfill your request. 

Response Time: We will respond to your request within 30-45 calendar days of receipt, depending on where you reside. We will notify you in writing via email if we need more time to respond. 

Denial of Request: We may deny your request if certain exceptions in the law apply. We will provide you the reason(s) for denial in writing via email. 

Right to Appeal: You have the right to appeal our decision with respect to your request to exercise your rights. You may appeal the decision by emailing info@mbdowntown.org. We will respond to your appeal within 30-45 calendar days of receipt, depending on where you reside. We will notify you in writing via email if we need more time to respond. 

Nondiscrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights. 

10. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS 

MBDA is based in South Carolina, United States. This Website is operated in the United States and the third parties with whom we might share your personal information (as explained in Section 4) are also located in the United States or other countries located outside the European Economic Area (EEA), Canada, and other international jurisdictions. 

If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where our servers and central database are located. The United States may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. 

By using our Website or services and/or providing your information, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States. 

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or Switzerland, we comply with applicable data transfer mechanisms and safeguards. 

11. THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES AND SERVICES 

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, event partners, and local businesses. This Privacy Policy applies only to our Website and services. 

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit. 

When you interact with our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), the respective platform’s privacy policy governs the collection and use of your information on those platforms. 

12. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY 

The date this Privacy Policy was last revised is identified at the top of the page. It is our policy to post any changes we make to our Privacy Policy on this page. 

For material changes to how we treat our Website users’ personal information, we will notify you by: 

• Email notification (if you have provided your email to us) 
• A prominent notice displayed on our Website’s home page 
• Updating the “Last Updated” date of this Privacy Policy 

We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy periodically when you visit our Website to be sure that you are aware of our most current policy. 

Important: The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) require that we update our Privacy Policy on an annual basis, at a minimum. 

13. SMS/TEXT MESSAGING TERMS 

If you opt in to receive SMS/text messages from MBDA: 

Consent and Opt-In: By providing your phone number and opting in to text messages, you consent to receive automated text messages at the number provided. Consent is not required as a condition of purchasing any goods or services. 

Message Frequency: You may receive periodic text messages about events, programs, and updates. Message frequency varies. 

Message and Data Rates: Standard message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier’s plan. 

Opt-Out: You can opt out at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message. You will receive a confirmation message. After opting out, you will no longer receive text messages from us unless you opt in again. 

Help: For help, reply “HELP” to any text message or contact us at info@mbdowntown.org or 843-839-0129. 

Supported Carriers: Messages are supported on major U.S. carriers. Carrier message delivery is not guaranteed. 

Privacy: We use Twilio as our SMS service provider. Your phone number and message content are subject to this Privacy Policy. We do not share your phone number with third parties for their marketing purposes. 

Recommended Practice: At each location where we collect phone numbers for SMS messaging, we recommend that users check a box confirming they have read and agree to these SMS terms before clicking “Submit.” 

14. CONTACT INFORMATION 

If you have questions, concerns, complaints, suggestions, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: 

Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance 

522 Broadway Street, Suite A 

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577 

Email: info@mbdowntown.org 

Phone: 843-839-0129 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

By using our Website or services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms and conditions. 

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END OF PRIVACY POLICY