Cookie Policy

Last updated: January 5, 2026

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how Thought Xchange Network ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit this website (the "Site"). This policy provides you with clear and comprehensive information about the cookies we use, the purposes for which we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.

What are cookies? Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used by website operators to make their websites function properly, to improve efficiency, and to provide reporting and analytics information. Cookies set by the website owner (in this case, Thought Xchange Network) are called "first-party cookies." Cookies set by parties other than the website owner are called "third-party cookies."

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze how the Site is used, personalize content, and support our marketing efforts. By continuing to use the Site, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. For broader information about how we handle your personal data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

The cookies used on our Site can be categorized into four types based on their purpose and function. Below is a detailed explanation of each category.

2.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the Site to function properly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set in response to actions you take which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, filling in forms, or making a payment. Without these cookies, certain parts of the Site may not work as intended.

Strictly necessary cookies include:

• Session Cookies: These temporary cookies are created when you visit the Site and are deleted when you close your browser. They enable the Site to remember your actions during a single browsing session, such as items in a registration form or your authentication state;
• Security Cookies: These cookies help protect the Site and its users from security threats, including cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection, secure session management, and authentication verification;
• Load Balancing Cookies: These cookies distribute traffic across multiple servers to ensure the Site loads quickly and efficiently, providing you with a smooth browsing experience.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary for the Site to function, they do not require your consent, though you can configure your browser to block them. Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies may cause parts of the Site to malfunction.

2.2 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies enable the Site to provide enhanced features and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have integrated into our pages. These cookies remember your preferences and choices to provide a more personalized experience.

Functional cookies include:

• Preference Cookies: These cookies remember your settings and preferences, such as your preferred language, display options, and previously entered form data;
• Language Cookies: These cookies remember your language selection so that content is displayed in your preferred language across the Site;
• Region Cookies: These cookies store your approximate location or region to provide region-specific content, such as local time zone displays for event schedules and session times.

If you do not allow functional cookies, some or all of these personalization features may not function properly, and your experience on the Site may be less tailored to your preferences.

2.3 Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of the Site. They help us understand which pages are the most and least popular, how visitors navigate the Site, and how we can improve the user experience.

Analytics cookies include:

• Google Analytics Cookies: We use Google Analytics to collect anonymized information about how visitors use the Site. Google Analytics cookies track data such as the number of visitors, the pages they visit, the time spent on each page, the traffic source (e.g., search engine, direct link, referral), and the geographic region of visitors. This information is aggregated and used to improve the Site;
• Page View Tracking: These cookies record which pages you visit and in what order, enabling us to identify popular content and optimize the Site's structure and navigation;
• Traffic Source Tracking: These cookies help us understand how visitors arrive at the Site, whether through search engines, social media, direct entry, email campaigns, or referring websites.

All information collected by analytics cookies is aggregated and anonymized. These cookies do not collect information that personally identifies you.

2.4 Marketing Cookies

Marketing cookies may be used to track visitors across websites and to display advertisements that are relevant and engaging for individual users. These cookies record your visit to the Site, the pages you have visited, and the links you have followed.

Marketing cookies may include:

• Retargeting Cookies: These cookies enable us to show you relevant advertisements on third-party websites after you have visited the Site, reminding you of our events and services;
• Conversion Tracking Cookies: These cookies help us measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns by tracking whether visitors who clicked on an advertisement subsequently completed a desired action, such as registering for an event.

If you do not allow marketing cookies, you will not receive targeted advertising from us on third-party platforms, though you may still see generic advertisements.

3. Third-Party Cookies

In addition to the cookies we set directly, certain third-party services integrated into our Site may also place cookies on your device. We do not control these third-party cookies, and their use is governed by the respective third party's privacy and cookie policies. The third-party services that may set cookies on our Site include:

• Google Analytics (Google LLC): Used for website analytics and performance measurement. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information about how visitors interact with the Site. The data collected is used to compile reports and help us improve the Site. Google may also use the data collected to contextualize and personalize its own advertising network. For more information, please review Google's Privacy Policy. You may opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on;
• Stripe (Stripe, Inc.): Used for secure payment processing. Stripe may set cookies to support fraud detection, authentication, and the secure processing of payment transactions. Stripe's use of cookies is governed by Stripe's Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy;
• Social Media Embeds: If we embed content from social media platforms (such as LinkedIn, X/Twitter, or YouTube), these platforms may set their own cookies on your device when you interact with the embedded content. These cookies are subject to the respective social media platform's privacy and cookie policies.

4. Cookie Duration

Cookies can remain on your device for different periods of time depending on their type:

4.1 Session Cookies

Session cookies are temporary cookies that exist only during the period you are browsing the Site. They are stored in your browser's temporary memory and are automatically deleted when you close your browser. Session cookies are used to maintain your session state, such as keeping you logged in or preserving form data during a multi-step registration process.

4.2 Persistent Cookies

Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period of time specified in the cookie or until you manually delete them. These cookies are stored on your hard drive and are activated each time you visit the Site. Persistent cookies are used to remember your preferences, support analytics, and facilitate marketing activities. The duration of persistent cookies on our Site varies:

• Preference cookies: Typically persist for up to 1 year;
• Analytics cookies (Google Analytics): Typically persist for up to 2 years;
• Marketing and retargeting cookies: Typically persist for up to 90 days to 1 year, depending on the specific cookie and the third-party provider.

5. How to Manage Cookies

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. Most web browsers are set to accept cookies by default, but you can modify your browser settings to decline cookies or to alert you when a cookie is being placed on your device. Below are instructions for managing cookies in the most commonly used browsers:

• Google Chrome: Open Chrome Settings, navigate to Privacy and Security, then select Cookies and other site data. From there, you can block third-party cookies, block all cookies, or clear cookies when you close the browser. You can also manage exceptions for specific websites. For detailed instructions, visit the Google Chrome Help Center and search for "manage cookies."
• Mozilla Firefox: Open Firefox Settings (or Preferences on macOS), navigate to Privacy & Security, and find the Cookies and Site Data section. Firefox offers Enhanced Tracking Protection with Standard, Strict, and Custom modes, allowing you to control which cookies are blocked. For detailed instructions, visit the Mozilla Firefox Support site and search for "cookies."
• Apple Safari: Open Safari Preferences, navigate to the Privacy tab, and configure your cookie settings. Safari offers options to block all cookies, prevent cross-site tracking, and manage website data. For detailed instructions, visit the Apple Safari Support site and search for "manage cookies and website data."
• Microsoft Edge: Open Edge Settings, navigate to Cookies and site permissions, then select Manage and delete cookies and site data. Edge allows you to block third-party cookies, block all cookies, and clear cookies on close. For detailed instructions, visit the Microsoft Edge Support site and search for "cookies."

Additionally, you can opt out of interest-based advertising from participating companies through the following industry opt-out platforms:

• Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA): Visit the DAA's opt-out page at aboutads.info;
• Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): Visit the NAI's opt-out page at networkadvertising.org;
• European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA): Visit the EDAA's opt-out page at youronlinechoices.eu.

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

While you have the ability to disable or restrict cookies through your browser settings, please be aware that doing so may affect the functionality and performance of the Site. Specifically:

• Disabling strictly necessary cookies may prevent you from accessing certain features of the Site, including event registration forms and payment processing;
• Disabling functional cookies may result in a less personalized experience, such as the Site not remembering your language preferences or previously entered information;
• Disabling analytics cookies will prevent us from understanding how you use the Site, which limits our ability to improve the user experience;
• Disabling marketing cookies will stop targeted advertising but will not reduce the total number of advertisements you see; they will simply be less relevant to your interests.

We recommend keeping strictly necessary and functional cookies enabled to ensure the best possible experience on the Site.

7. Do Not Track Signals

Some web browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that sends a signal to the websites you visit, requesting that they do not track your online activity. There is currently no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

At this time, the Site does not respond to DNT signals or similar mechanisms. However, you can manage your cookie preferences and opt out of certain tracking as described in Section 5 of this Cookie Policy. We will continue to monitor developments in DNT technology and standards and will update this policy accordingly if our practices change.

8. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in technology, changes in applicable laws and regulations, or other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes to this Cookie Policy, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to periodically review this Cookie Policy to stay informed about how we are using cookies. Your continued use of the Site after the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Cookie Policy.

For material changes that significantly affect how we use cookies or your ability to manage them, we may provide additional notice through the Site or by other means.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies and similar technologies, please contact us.