Privacy protection and confidentiality of members’ information is essential and we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the information we collect from members, Congress delegates, VMA School students, visitors to our website, people who contact us, and from our suppliers and partners.
In addition to this professional and ethical commitment, we are required to comply with applicable Commonwealth, State, and Territory privacy laws. Under these privacy laws, we are required to comply with a set of privacy principles. The core principles are in the Privacy Act 1988. More information about these principles and Australian privacy law can be found on the Australian Information Commissioner’s website: www.oaic.gov.au.
The VMA collects personal information from members, persons enquiring or applying for membership, attendees at VMA programs and activities (including its annual Congress and the Venue Management School), members of the public, journalists, government agencies, and other organisations seeking information or comment, visitors to our website, persons purchasing services from us, and from our suppliers.
Much of this information is collected directly from the person concerned, including through emails, telephone calls, our website, apps, and mobile devices. We also collect information from publicly available websites, directories, databases, Twitter, and other social media.
In relation to applicants for membership and members, the information collected may include (where applicable) information about date of birth and employment details.
Unless your contact with us or request for information does not require us to know who you are, we will need your name and contact details for membership and other services.
The VMA collects, stores, and uses this information to provide services to our members and to provide information and services to the media, government, and community.
We only provide others with information that would identify you if it is necessary to provide the service or information you requested, you have agreed to us providing it to them, or it is already publicly available.
We may provide your information to third parties who collect, store, and use this information for the compilation and printing of the Who’s Who publication.
Australian privacy law limits the use of personal information for direct marketing of goods and services.
We use your personal information to keep you informed about member services, products, and publications.
When a person applies for membership of the VMA (which is done via an application), they are provided with an opportunity to decline receiving further information.
Where we send you direct marketing material, we provide you with a way to opt out of receiving some or all of this material.
If at any time you have a concern about direct marketing material you have received from us, or you wish to change your preferences, please contact us at admin@vma.org.au.
VMA members can easily update their information by logging in online to the VMA website.
We store your information at our premises, in electronic systems under our control, and with contracted data storage providers. We take appropriate steps to protect this information from unauthorised access, viruses, fire, theft, or loss. Our contractors are also required to comply with Australian Privacy laws.
Our staff are bound by strict privacy requirements, and some information may be stored with providers located outside of Australia under strict contractual protections.
Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to access personal information we hold about you and to request corrections. Please contact us for access. There is no charge unless special steps or significant resources are required.
In addition to using overseas data storage and cloud providers, we may provide data to overseas bodies. For example, VMA members automatically receive reciprocal membership of the International Association of Venue Managers.
We may also license use of our databases to overseas companies for direct marketing. All such entities are required to comply with Australian Privacy laws.
We keep your personal information as long as reasonably necessary to meet your needs. Membership records and other data may be retained for statistical and historical purposes. Regular backups and archiving are part of our data security measures.
If you have any concerns about how we collect, store, use, or disclose your personal information, please contact us:
Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) Ltd
Postal address: Level 1, 110–112 George Street, Beenleigh, QLD, 4207, Australia
Telephone: +61 (0) 7 5575 9185
Email: admin@vma.org.au
