Legal

Terms of Service

Effective Date: September 30, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern access to and use of the website, online account services, membership services, event registration systems, directories, forms, ecommerce features, and other online services provided by the Austin Contractors & Engineers Association ("ACEA," "we," "us," or "our"), including services available through www.aceatx.com.

By accessing or using the ACEA website, creating an account, submitting information through the website, or completing a transaction through the website, you agree to these Terms and to ACEA's Privacy Policy.

If additional terms, rules, waivers, cancellation policies, or requirements are presented for a particular event, program, membership, purchase, scholarship, or activity, those additional terms also apply to that activity.

1. ACEA Website and Services

ACEA provides its website and online services to support the Association's membership, programs, events, communications, and activities.

Website functions may include:

Membership applications and renewals
Member account management
Member directories
Event registration
Sponsorship registration and payment
Membership dues and invoice payments
Ecommerce and other purchases
Committee and Board information
Scholarship applications
Association news and resources
Email and SMS communication preferences
Forms, surveys, and applications
Other ACEA programs and services

Features may be added, changed, suspended, or discontinued from time to time.

2. User Accounts

Certain portions of the website may require an ACEA account.

When creating or using an account, you agree to provide accurate and reasonably current information and to update that information when necessary.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for activity occurring through your account. You should not provide your password to unauthorized individuals or allow another person to improperly access your account.

If you believe your account has been accessed without authorization, please notify ACEA promptly.

Individuals who have administrative or management access to a company or organizational account may be able to view or manage information associated with that organization, including memberships, individuals affiliated with the organization, registrations, invoices, or other organizational information.

ACEA may suspend or restrict account access when reasonably necessary to protect the website, ACEA, its members, or other users.

3. Membership Information

Membership eligibility, classifications, dues, renewal requirements, benefits, and other membership matters are governed by ACEA's governing documents, policies, membership materials, and any applicable terms presented during enrollment or renewal.

Information presented through the website regarding membership is intended to facilitate ACEA membership administration and does not replace ACEA's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Board-approved policies, or other governing documents.

If a conflict exists between these Terms and ACEA's formal governing documents regarding an Association governance or membership matter, the applicable governing document will control.

4. Public Member Directory

ACEA maintains a public directory to promote and connect ACEA member companies.

Directory information may include a member company's:

Company name
Designated contact name
Company address
Company phone number
Company website

Members are responsible for providing accurate information for their profiles and notifying ACEA when directory information should be corrected or updated.

The directory is provided for legitimate informational, professional, and networking purposes.

Users may not use ACEA's directory or website to:

Conduct unauthorized automated scraping or harvesting of directory information
Compile ACEA member information for resale
Create or sell mailing, telephone, or marketing lists derived from the directory
Send spam or abusive mass communications
Misrepresent an affiliation with ACEA or an ACEA member
Use directory information for unlawful, fraudulent, or deceptive purposes
Interfere with the proper operation of the website

The appearance of a business or individual in the ACEA directory does not constitute an ACEA guarantee, certification, warranty, or endorsement of that business or individual's products, services, qualifications, or performance.

5. Board Members, Committee Members, and Sponsors

ACEA may publicly identify individuals serving on its Board of Directors or committees, including their names, ACEA roles, and company affiliations.

ACEA may also publicly recognize the names and logos of sponsoring companies in connection with events, programs, publications, the website, and other Association materials.

Public identification of an individual or company does not create an endorsement by ACEA unless expressly stated otherwise.

6. Events and Programs

ACEA offers events and programs including, but not limited to, luncheons, educational programs, conferences, symposiums, golf tournaments, clay shoots, Fish Fry events, committee programs, networking events, and other Association activities.

Registration may be subject to event-specific:

Registration deadlines
Cancellation or refund policies
Substitution policies
Eligibility requirements
Safety requirements
Codes of conduct
Venue requirements
Waivers or releases
Sponsorship terms
Other event-specific conditions

Those requirements may be displayed during registration or communicated separately by ACEA.

These website Terms do not replace any event-specific waiver, release, safety agreement, or participation agreement. If participation in a particular ACEA event requires an additional waiver or agreement, the participant must comply with that requirement separately.

ACEA may modify event schedules, speakers, programming, venues, or other event details when reasonably necessary.

7. Fees, Purchases, and Payments

Certain ACEA services require payment, including membership dues, event registrations, sponsorships, products, and other purchases.

By submitting a transaction, you represent that you are authorized to use the payment method provided and authorize the applicable charges.

Payments may be processed through third-party payment providers used by ACEA.

Any applicable cancellation, substitution, credit, or refund terms will be governed by the policies presented for the applicable membership, event, product, sponsorship, or transaction.

Unless ACEA expressly states otherwise, submitting payment does not waive any additional eligibility, registration, event, or participation requirements.

ACEA reserves the right to correct pricing, registration, invoice, or administrative errors.

8. Event Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellation and refund policies may vary by event or program.

Where an event-specific cancellation or refund policy is displayed during registration, on an invoice, in event materials, or in another ACEA communication, that policy will govern.

If no specific policy is stated, users should contact ACEA before assuming that a payment is refundable.

If ACEA cancels or materially changes an event, ACEA will determine the applicable refund, credit, transfer, or other remedy based on the circumstances of that event.

9. Scholarship Applications

ACEA may allow individuals, including applicants under the age of 18, to submit scholarship applications through the website.

Scholarship applicants agree that information submitted must be accurate to the best of their knowledge.

Submitting an application does not guarantee eligibility, selection, or receipt of an award.

Scholarship decisions are made through ACEA's applicable review and selection process.

Personal information submitted through scholarship applications is handled in accordance with ACEA's Privacy Policy and is not made publicly available merely because it was submitted online.

Separate eligibility rules, deadlines, award requirements, or scholarship terms published for a particular scholarship program will also apply.

10. Email Communications

By providing an email address to ACEA in connection with membership, an account, event registration, a purchase, or another ACEA activity, you acknowledge that ACEA may use that address for communications reasonably related to your relationship with the Association.

These communications may include:

Membership notices
Event information
Registration confirmations and reminders
Invoices and payment communications
Association announcements
Newsletters
Sponsorship opportunities
Program and event promotions

Marketing and promotional emails will include an available method to unsubscribe where required or appropriate.

Opting out of marketing emails does not prevent ACEA from sending necessary transactional, administrative, membership, billing, or event-related communications.

11. SMS/Text Messages

ACEA may offer optional SMS or text-message communications.

By affirmatively opting in to an ACEA texting program, you consent to receive the types of messages described when you enroll. Message frequency may vary, and message and data rates may apply.

Consent to receive promotional text messages is not required as a condition of purchasing membership, registering for an event, or making another purchase.

You may withdraw your consent to receive text messages by following the opt-out instructions provided with those messages, including replying STOP where supported.

Additional information concerning ACEA's use of mobile telephone numbers is available in the Privacy Policy.

12. Content Submitted to ACEA

Users may have opportunities to provide ACEA with information, photographs, logos, company descriptions, event materials, applications, comments, documents, or other content.

You represent that you have the right to provide content that you submit and that doing so does not knowingly violate another person's rights.

When you submit content specifically for publication or promotion—such as a company logo for a member profile, sponsorship logo, company description, event photograph, or similar material—you authorize ACEA to use, reproduce, display, resize, format, and publish that content as reasonably necessary for the ACEA activity for which it was provided.

This permission does not transfer ownership of your intellectual property to ACEA.

13. ACEA Content and Intellectual Property

The ACEA website and its original content may contain trademarks, logos, photographs, graphics, publications, documents, videos, text, designs, and other materials owned by or licensed to ACEA.

Except as otherwise permitted, ACEA content may not be reproduced, sold, republished, distributed, modified, or commercially exploited without appropriate permission.

You may download or print materials made available by ACEA for your own legitimate personal, professional, or membership-related use unless ACEA states otherwise.

Third-party company names, trademarks, and logos appearing on the website remain the property of their respective owners.

14. Acceptable Use

You agree not to use ACEA's website or services to:

Violate applicable law
Attempt unauthorized access to accounts, databases, servers, or other systems
Introduce viruses, malicious code, or other harmful technology
Interfere with or disrupt the website or its security
Impersonate another individual or organization
Submit knowingly false or fraudulent information
Harvest or scrape information in violation of these Terms
Send spam or unauthorized mass solicitations using information obtained from ACEA
Infringe intellectual-property, privacy, or other rights
Use the website in a manner that could reasonably harm ACEA, its members, or other users

ACEA may restrict or terminate access when ACEA reasonably believes these Terms have been violated.

15. Third-Party Websites and Services

ACEA uses and links to third-party systems and providers to operate portions of its website and Association services.

These may include providers involved in:

Association management
Website hosting
Payment processing
Accounting
Email communications
SMS communications
Event registration
Auctions
Workflow automation
Analytics
Social media
Other business and technology services

ACEA may use providers such as Novi AMS, Novi Pay and associated payment processors, QuickBooks Online, Mailchimp, Square, Auctria, Zapier, and other services from time to time.

Third-party services may be governed by their own terms, privacy policies, and practices.

ACEA is not responsible for the independent content, availability, privacy practices, security practices, or terms of third-party websites or services that ACEA does not control.

16. Website Availability

ACEA strives to maintain reliable website and online services but does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free availability.

Service may occasionally be unavailable because of maintenance, technical problems, third-party service interruptions, security concerns, events beyond ACEA's control, or other circumstances.

ACEA may modify or discontinue website features when reasonably necessary.

17. Informational Nature of Website Content

ACEA makes reasonable efforts to provide accurate and useful information through its website.

However, website materials may occasionally contain errors, become outdated, or require correction.

Information provided on the ACEA website is for general Association and informational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal, engineering, financial, tax, safety, regulatory, or other professional advice.

Users are responsible for obtaining appropriate professional guidance when necessary.

18. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the ACEA website and online services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis.

ACEA does not warrant that the website will always be uninterrupted, error-free, completely secure, or free from harmful components, or that all information available through the website will always be complete or current.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights that cannot lawfully be waived.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by applicable law, ACEA and its directors, officers, employees, contractors, and representatives will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising solely from the use of or inability to use the ACEA website or online services.

ACEA is not responsible for losses caused by third-party services, unauthorized use of user credentials, circumstances outside ACEA's reasonable control, or a user's failure to comply with these Terms.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law.

20. Privacy

ACEA's collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information is described in the ACEA Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

By using the website and providing information to ACEA, you acknowledge that you have had an opportunity to review the Privacy Policy.

21. Changes to These Terms

ACEA may revise these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in its website, programs, technology, operations, or legal requirements.

The effective date at the top of the Terms will be updated when revisions are made.

Continued use of the website after updated Terms are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms to the extent permitted by applicable law.

For material changes affecting existing account holders, ACEA may provide additional notice when appropriate.

22. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to principles regarding conflicts of law.

To the extent a legal dispute relating specifically to these Terms or use of the ACEA website is brought in court, the parties agree that appropriate state or federal courts located in or serving Travis County, Texas will have jurisdiction, subject to applicable law.

23. Severability

If a provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.

24. Contact Us

Questions regarding these Terms or use of the ACEA website may be directed to:

Austin Contractors & Engineers Association
7200 N. Mopac Expressway, Suite 130
Austin, Texas 78731
Email: info@aceatx.com

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: September 30, 2026

The Austin Contractors & Engineers Association ("ACEA," "we," "us," or "our") respects the privacy of our members, event attendees, website visitors, scholarship applicants, and others who interact with our organization.

This Privacy Policy explains the types of information ACEA may collect through our website, membership and event systems, communications, and related services; how we use and share that information; and the choices available to you.

This Privacy Policy applies to the ACEA website, including www.aceatx.com, and to information collected through ACEA's online membership, registration, payment, communication, and application systems.

1. Information We Collect

The information ACEA collects depends on how you interact with us.

Membership and Account Information

When an individual or company joins ACEA, creates an account, renews a membership, updates a profile, participates in a committee, or otherwise uses our member services, we may collect information such as:

Name
Company or employer
Job title
Business address
Email address
Telephone number
Website
Membership type and status
Account and login information
Committee participation
Event participation and purchase history
Billing, invoice, and transaction information
Other information voluntarily provided to ACEA

Public Member Directory

ACEA maintains a public online member directory intended to help promote and connect our member companies within the Central Texas contracting and engineering community.

Information displayed publicly in the member directory may include:

Company name
Designated contact name
Company address
Company phone number
Company website

Because the directory is publicly accessible, information displayed there may be viewed, indexed by search engines, or collected by third parties outside ACEA's control.

Members who need to correct or update their directory information may update their profile where available or contact ACEA.

Board and Committee Information

ACEA may publicly identify individuals serving on the ACEA Board of Directors or ACEA committees, including their names, positions or roles, and company affiliations.

ACEA does not intentionally publish personal contact information for Board or committee members, such as personal email addresses, personal phone numbers, or home addresses, unless the individual has separately authorized its publication.

Event Registration and Participation

When you register for an ACEA luncheon, tournament, conference, symposium, Fish Fry, Clay Shoot, committee program, or other event, we may collect information such as your name, company, email address, telephone number, registration selections, dietary or accessibility information you voluntarily provide, payment information, and other information reasonably necessary to administer the event.

ACEA does not publish event attendee lists containing attendee personal contact information on its public website.

ACEA may use registration information internally to administer events, communicate with attendees, maintain attendance records, provide continuing education information where applicable, process payments, and plan future ACEA programs.

Sponsor company names and sponsorship information may be publicly displayed in connection with ACEA events, programs, and marketing materials.

Payments and Transactions

ACEA accepts payments for memberships, events, sponsorships, merchandise, and other activities through third-party payment processors and financial technology providers.

Payment card and bank information may be submitted directly to payment processors such as Novi Pay and other supported payment providers. ACEA may also use services such as Square for certain in-person or event transactions.

ACEA may receive and maintain transaction-related information such as the purchaser's name, billing information, transaction amount, payment status, transaction identification numbers, and limited payment-method information necessary for accounting and reconciliation. ACEA does not intentionally store complete credit card numbers or full bank account credentials in its membership database.

ACEA also uses accounting and financial systems, including QuickBooks Online, in connection with these transactions.

Email and Communications

ACEA may collect and use email addresses to send:

Membership communications
Event announcements and reminders
Luncheon and program invitations
Newsletters and industry updates
Sponsorship information
Association announcements
Renewal and billing notices
Other communications related to ACEA activities

ACEA may use email communication providers such as Mailchimp or other service providers to deliver these communications.

Recipients may unsubscribe from promotional or marketing emails using the unsubscribe link provided in those messages. Unsubscribing from marketing communications may not prevent ACEA from sending necessary transactional, administrative, membership, billing, or event-related communications.

SMS/Text Messages

ACEA may offer members and other users the opportunity to voluntarily subscribe to SMS or text-message communications.

If you opt in, ACEA may send informational or promotional messages relating to ACEA events, programs, membership, reminders, announcements, or other association activities. Messages may be delivered using automated technology. Message frequency may vary, and standard message and data rates may apply.

Consent to receive promotional text messages is voluntary and is not a condition of purchasing an ACEA membership, registering for an event, or making another purchase.

You may opt out of ACEA text messages at any time by replying STOP or by following other opt-out instructions provided in the message. You may reply HELP where supported or contact ACEA at info@aceatx.com for assistance.

ACEA will not sell, rent, or share mobile telephone numbers or SMS opt-in information or consent with third parties for those third parties' own marketing or promotional purposes. ACEA may provide such information to technology and communications service providers solely as necessary to operate ACEA's messaging program.

Scholarship Applications and Information About Minors

ACEA scholarship programs may accept applications from individuals who are under the age of 18.

As part of the scholarship process, ACEA may collect information such as an applicant's:

Name and contact information
Age or date of birth, if requested
School or educational information
Academic records or transcripts
Essays or application responses
Recommendations
Eligibility information
Other materials submitted as part of the scholarship application

Scholarship information is used to administer the application process, determine eligibility, evaluate applicants, communicate with applicants, and administer scholarship awards. Application materials are not made publicly available and may be accessed by authorized ACEA staff, scholarship reviewers, committee members, or service providers when reasonably necessary for the scholarship process.

If ACEA wishes to publicly recognize a scholarship recipient, such as by publishing the recipient's name, school, photograph, or award information, ACEA may obtain any additional permission considered appropriate before publication.

ACEA's general website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and ACEA does not knowingly seek to collect personal information online from children under 13. If ACEA becomes aware that personal information from a child under 13 has been collected without appropriate authorization, ACEA will take reasonable steps to address or delete the information as appropriate.

2. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the ACEA website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies, analytics technologies, server logs, and similar tools.

This information may include:

Internet Protocol (IP) address
Browser and device type
Operating system
Pages viewed
Links clicked
Referring website
Approximate location derived from technical information
Date and time of visits
Website interactions
Session and login information
Other technical or usage information

This information is generally used to operate and secure the website, maintain login sessions and shopping carts, troubleshoot technical issues, understand how visitors use the website, measure website performance, and improve ACEA's online services.

3. Cookies and Analytics

ACEA's website uses cookies and similar technologies necessary for website functionality, including account authentication, secure member access, ecommerce functionality, and maintaining user sessions.

ACEA and its technology providers may also use analytics and diagnostic technologies to understand website usage, evaluate performance, troubleshoot problems, and improve the website and user experience. These services may include technologies provided through ACEA's website platform and third-party analytics providers.

ACEA may change or add analytics and website technology providers over time. This Privacy Policy is intended to describe the categories and purposes of those technologies rather than provide an exhaustive list of every individual provider.

Users may be able to control certain cookies through their browser settings or any cookie-management tools ACEA makes available on the website. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

4. How ACEA Uses Information

ACEA may use information collected through its website and services to:

Provide and administer membership services
Maintain membership and company records
Operate the public member directory
Process membership dues, registrations, sponsorships, purchases, and other transactions
Administer ACEA events and programs
Communicate with members, attendees, sponsors, applicants, and other stakeholders
Send newsletters, event promotions, membership communications, and other ACEA marketing communications
Administer committees and Board activities
Process and evaluate scholarship applications
Maintain accounting and financial records
Provide customer and member support
Improve ACEA's website, events, programs, and member services
Analyze website usage and organizational engagement
Prevent fraud, unauthorized access, or misuse of ACEA systems
Maintain the security and integrity of ACEA's systems and information
Comply with legal, tax, accounting, contractual, insurance, and regulatory obligations
Protect ACEA, its members, staff, volunteers, and others
Carry out other reasonable activities related to ACEA's mission and operations

5. How We Share Information

ACEA does not sell or rent member email addresses, telephone numbers, mailing lists, or other personal information to outside companies for their own marketing purposes.

ACEA may share information in limited circumstances necessary to operate the Association.

Service Providers

ACEA works with third-party service providers that assist with functions such as:

Association and membership management
Website hosting
Payment processing
Accounting
Email distribution
SMS communications
Event registration and event management
Auctions and fundraising activities
Website analytics
Data hosting and storage
Technology support
Workflow automation and system integrations

These providers may include services such as Novi AMS, Novi Pay and its payment-processing partners, QuickBooks Online, Mailchimp, Square, Auctria, Zapier, analytics providers, and other vendors ACEA may use from time to time.

These providers may receive information only as reasonably necessary for the services they perform for ACEA and are subject to their own contractual and privacy obligations.

Automated Integrations

ACEA may use automation and integration services, including Zapier or similar providers, to securely transfer information between systems used by ACEA.

For example, an automated workflow may transfer information between ACEA's association management system, communications platform, accounting system, event platform, or another authorized ACEA service.

ACEA intends to configure these integrations for legitimate association operations and to limit the information transferred to what is reasonably necessary for the applicable workflow.

Authorized ACEA Personnel and Reviewers

Information may be accessed by ACEA employees, contractors, volunteers, Board members, committee members, scholarship reviewers, or other authorized individuals when access is reasonably necessary to perform ACEA-related responsibilities.

Legal and Safety Purposes

ACEA may disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, a court order, subpoena, governmental request, insurance requirement, or other legal obligation, or when ACEA believes disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, safety, or security of ACEA or others.

ACEA may also disclose information in connection with a restructuring, merger, transfer of operations, or similar organizational transaction, subject to applicable law.

6. Public Information

Some information submitted to ACEA is intended to be public.

In particular, information designated for ACEA's public member directory, Board listings, committee listings, sponsor recognition, or other public-facing association materials may be displayed on ACEA's website, publications, social media accounts, event materials, or other public communications.

Once information is made publicly available, ACEA cannot control how third parties may independently view, copy, index, archive, or use that information.

Information that is not designated for public use—including event attendee contact information, scholarship applications, billing records, private account information, and internal membership records—is not made public by ACEA solely because it has been submitted through the website.

7. Data Security

ACEA takes reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or misuse.

ACEA also relies on technology providers and payment processors to maintain security appropriate to the services they provide.

No website, electronic transmission, database, or information system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should take reasonable steps to protect their login credentials and notify ACEA if they believe their ACEA account or information may have been compromised.

8. Data Retention

ACEA retains information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, maintain membership and organizational history, administer transactions and programs, meet accounting and recordkeeping requirements, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and comply with applicable legal or regulatory obligations.

Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and the purpose for which it was collected.

9. Your Choices and Requests

You may contact ACEA to request that we:

Correct or update inaccurate personal information
Update public member-directory information
Review certain personal information ACEA maintains about you
Delete certain personal information where appropriate
Update your email or SMS communication preferences
Address questions regarding how your information is used

Certain information may need to be retained for legitimate operational, legal, tax, accounting, historical, contractual, or security purposes even after a deletion request.

You may opt out of promotional emails through the unsubscribe mechanism contained in those emails. SMS subscribers may opt out by replying STOP or using another opt-out method provided by ACEA.

10. Third-Party Websites and Services

ACEA's website may contain links to websites or services operated by third parties, including member companies, sponsors, venues, registration services, payment processors, social media platforms, and other organizations.

ACEA is not responsible for the privacy or security practices of websites and services operated by third parties. Users should review the privacy policies of those services before providing personal information directly to them.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

ACEA may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our website, technology, programs, service providers, information practices, or legal requirements.

When material changes are made, ACEA will update the effective date shown at the top of this Privacy Policy and may provide additional notice when appropriate.

12. Contact ACEA

Questions, requests, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or ACEA's handling of personal information may be directed to: