Privacy Policy

The Business Guild (“TBG”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is a membership-based business network operated by Brands and Biz Pty Ltd (ABN applicable), based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information in an open and transparent way, in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your personal information.

1. What Information We Collect

We may collect personal information including, but not limited to:

Name, business name and job title
Contact details (email address, phone number, business address)
Membership details and preferences
Billing and payment information
Event registrations and attendance records
Marketing and communication preferences
Website usage data (such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited)

We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our business activities.

2. How We Collect Personal Information

We may collect personal information:

When you apply for or renew membership with The Business Guild
When you attend our events, meetings, or networking sessions
When you subscribe to our mailing list or communications
When you contact us via email, phone, website forms, or social media
Through our website using cookies and analytics tools

Where possible, we collect information directly from you.

3. How We Use Your Personal Information

We use personal information to:

Manage memberships and member services
Organise and deliver events, meetings, and programs
Communicate updates, newsletters, and relevant opportunities
Process payments and invoices
Improve our services, website, and member experience
Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

We will not use your personal information for purposes unrelated to our activities without your consent, unless required or authorised by law.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose personal information to:

Brands and Biz Pty Ltd (as the parent company)
Service providers who assist us with operations (such as event management, IT, marketing, and payment processing)
Professional advisers (accountants, lawyers, consultants)
Regulatory authorities where required by law

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

Some service providers may store data outside Australia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure your information is protected in accordance with Australian privacy laws.

5. Marketing Communications

We may send you marketing and promotional communications relevant to The Business Guild and Brands and Biz Pty Ltd.

You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by:

Clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails, or
Contacting us directly using the details below

6. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

Improve website functionality
Analyse website traffic and usage
Enhance user experience

You can choose to disable cookies through your browser settings; however, this may affect website functionality.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

These measures include secure systems, restricted access, and appropriate administrative and technical safeguards.

8. Access and Correction

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if you believe it is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.

Requests can be made by contacting us using the details below. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

9. Retention of Information

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law. When no longer required, information is securely destroyed or de-identified.

10. Complaints

If you believe we have breached your privacy or the Australian Privacy Principles, you may lodge a complaint with us.

We will investigate complaints promptly and respond in writing.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.

12. Contact Us

For any questions, requests, or complaints regarding privacy, please contact:

The Business Guild
A division of Brands and Biz Pty Ltd
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Email: info@brandsandbiz.com.au (or relevant TBG email)