Privacy Policy
This page states the "Privacy Statement" of the Catalyst ConnectionSM T-RICSM web site. Please read this page carefully. Catalyst Connection ( "CATALYST CONNECTION", "our", "us") may revise this Privacy Statement at any time as set forth below. Users should visit this page periodically to review this Privacy Statement. The term "User" as used herein refer to all members and visitors accessing this web site for any reason. This Privacy Policy was last updated on February 11, 2011.
T-RIC is focused on developing a Regional Innovation Cluster Consortium Model for Technology Acceleration that works together to facilitate technology transfer and product commercialization within its regional small and medium sized manufacturers (SMEs). This effort is intended to leverage the T-RIC Consortium’s capabilities with the MEP system to create manufacturing jobs by stimulating the growth of manufacturing companies and contributing to regional economies. The effort encompasses MEP’s strategic growth areas of technology acceleration; develops tools and methods to support technology acceleration, tests the model, and shares the model with the MEP system. This website serves as a portal to facilitate technology acceleration via matchmaking between research institutions with new technology and manufacturers with specific capabilities and/or needs.
CATALYST CONNECTION respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its Web site. CATALYST CONNECTION strongly believes that if electronic commerce and online activities are to flourish, Users must be assured that information provided online is used responsibly and appropriately. To protect online privacy, CATALYST CONNECTION has implemented the following policy.
What Information Does CATALYST CONNECTION Collect?
Most data CATALYST CONNECTION collects are used only to help CATALYST CONNECTION better serve its members. It is our general policy to collect and store only personal information that our members and visitors knowingly provide. If our privacy policies change, we will notify all Users by e-mail or a special announcement placed on the Web site.
From General Users. CATALYST CONNECTION does not collect any personal information from Users browsing its Web site. Users to the public areas of CATALYST CONNECTION's Web site browse anonymously. Only aggregate data -- such as the number of hits per page--are collected. Aggregate data are only used for internal and marketing purposes and do not provide any personally identifying information.
From CATALYST CONNECTION Members, T-RIC Members, Conference Registrants, and Other Customers. To gain access to members-only resources and personalization features on the CATALYST CONNECTION Web site, members and other Users are asked to register and provide some limited information. These data are submitted voluntarily. CATALYST CONNECTION asks Users to provide their name, member number (for members), organization name, business phone, and e-mail. Similar information may be submitted to CATALYST CONNECTION through membership applications, Product Concept Forms, proposals, conference or seminar registration, publication orders, subscriptions, and contest registrations.
How Does CATALYST CONNECTION Use Data Collected?
CATALYST CONNECTION uses information voluntarily submitted by members and other customers in the following ways:
Information that you voluntarily provide: We do not collect personally identifiable information unless you choose to provide it to us. If you provide us with personally identifiable information, for example, by sending an e-mail or by filling out a form and submitting it through our Web site, we use that information to respond to your message and to help us provide you with the information and services that you request. All uses of that information are described on the Web page containing the form.
Submitting voluntary information constitutes your consent to the use of the information for the stated purpose. When you click the “Submit” button on any of the Web forms found on our sites, you are indicating your voluntary consent to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated and your acceptance of the Terms of Use.
CATALYST CONNECTION Member Services and Products. Generally, CATALYST CONNECTION and its direct subsidiaries use data collected to improve its own Web content; to respond to visitors' interests, needs and preferences; and to develop new products and services.
Disclosures to Third Parties. CATALYST CONNECTION also makes member contact information available through a Directory to other members using its Web site and to those who register for meetings and conferences that it sponsors. In addition, CATALYST CONNECTION incorporates information Users provide into hard copies of a Directory that it provides to members and may sell to requesters. On occasion, CATALYST CONNECTION may also provide limited data to third parties that offer products and services. These limited data include names, job titles, companies and business addresses, but do not include business e-mail addresses. Users may request CATALYST CONNECTION to refrain from disclosing the data it collects to third parties on the website, meeting or conference registration forms or any other form on which they are providing information; an opt-out box will appear on each form on which a User provides information. Alternatively, Users may contact CATALYST CONNECTION at info@catalystconnection.org or 412.687.2700 to express their preferences if they determine later that they do not wish to have the information shared.
Credit Card Account Information. CATALYST CONNECTION does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members and customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, CATALYST CONNECTION submits the information needed to obtain payment to the appropriate clearinghouse.
How Does CATALYST CONNECTION Use Cookies?
Cookies are files that contain information created by a web server that can be stored on a User's hard disk for use either during a particular session ("per-session" cookie) or for future use ("persistent" cookie). CATALYST CONNECTION uses cookies only to facilitate automated activity, store and track passwords, determine appropriate solicitations, and review navigation patterns. Cookies are not used to disseminate significant information about Users over the Internet or to analyze any information that Users have knowingly or unknowingly provided. When a User registers, the system will ask whether the User approves of the attachment of a cookie. Users may instruct their Internet browsers to opt out of accepting a "persistent" cookie and rather accept only a "per-session" cookie, but will need to login each time they visit the site to enjoy the full benefits. If the User declines the attachment of any cookie, the User may not have access to the full benefits of the website. Registration enables the site to better determine members' interest areas and provide the most relevant information.
What Privacy Issues Arise With Links To Other Sites?
This Web site contains links to other web sites. CATALYST CONNECTION has no control over and is not responsible for the privacy policies or content of such sites.
What about information from children?
CATALYST CONNECTION does not intend to collect information from children. CATALYST CONNECTION is committed to the safety of children and we do not intend to collect personally identifiable information from children under age 18. If a User is under age 18, the User should ask his or her parent for permission before sending any information to our site or anyone else online. The User's parent should contact us directly in order to provide us with prior written consent. CATALYST CONNECTION will not intentionally use personal information from or send communications to children under age 13 without prior parental consent.
How Should a User Contact CATALYST CONNECTION?
If any User suspects CATALYST CONNECTION has handled its personal information in a manner that does not comply with this privacy statement, please contact us by e-mailing to info@catalystconnection.org or by calling 412.918.4300.
Catalyst Connection
2000 Technology Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412.918.4300
Fax: 412.687.2791