Hear Me Out Privacy Policy

Last updated: November 2025

Hear Me Out (“we,” “our,” or “the Festival”) is a community-centered music and poetry event hosted by Roots Psychotherapy in Bryan/College Station, Texas. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect the information you provide when you visit our website or participate in the Festival.

By using our website or submitting any information to us, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Who we are

Our website address is: https://hearmeoutfestival.com.

Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

Information You Provide
  • Submission information for the Song & Poetry Contest (name, email, performance title, lyrics, recordings, short bio, etc.).
  • Contact form information (name, email, phone number, message).
  • Volunteer, vendor, or sponsor interest forms (name, business name, email, phone number).
  • Event participation forms, surveys, or sign-ups.

Automatically Collected Information 

Like most websites, we may collect:

  • Device and browser data
  • IP address
  • Cookies or analytics data (e.g., Google Analytics)

This helps us improve the website and understand how visitors use it.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Review and manage contest submissions
  • Communicate with performers, sponsors, and participants
  • Share event updates or changes
  • Contact you about scheduling, selection decisions, or logistics
  • Improve the website and festival experience
  • Respond to questions or support requests
  • Maintain safety, integrity, and organization of the event

We do not sell your personal information.

How We Share Your Information

We may share your information with:

  • Hear Me Out staff who help run the event
  • Vendors providing website, email, or form services (ex: Google, website hosting)
  • Contracted helpers such as sound engineers or event volunteers who need limited information for operational purposes

We do not share your personal information with sponsors, performers, or other attendees unless you give explicit permission.

How We Store & Protect Information

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical steps to protect your information.

Your data may be stored through:

  • Our website host
  • Encrypted email services
  • Secure submission forms

Only authorized Hear Me Out staff or contractors helping with the event have access when necessary.

Your Choices and Rights

You can request at any time to:

  • Access the personal information we hold
  • Update or correct your information
  • Delete your submission or personal data
  • Opt out of future communication from us

To make a request, email us at hello@hearmeoutfestival.com.

Children’s Privacy

Hear Me Out welcomes submissions from performers of all ages, including children and teens.

Because we collect personal information from minors, we require:

  • Parental or guardian consent for all participants under 18
  • Parent/guardian contact information as part of the submission process
  • Verification before confirming participation in the event

We do not intentionally collect personal information from children without the required consent.

Parents or guardians may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their child’s information at any time by emailing hello@hearmeoutfestival.com.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally. Updates will be posted on this page with a new “Last updated” date.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is used, please contact Hear Me Out at hello@hearmeoutfestival.com.