Disclosures & Policies
FTC Affiliate & Sponsored Content Disclosure
Last Updated: July 2026
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guides, here’s how we handle affiliate links, sponsored content, and gifted items across itssummerssomewhere.com, itssomewherelocal.beehiiv.com, our newsletter, and our social channels (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, and LinkedIn).
Affiliate Links
Some links on our Sites and in our newsletter are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase or booking through them, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate programs we participate in include [AFFILIATE PROGRAMS — e.g., Amazon Associates, booking/tour affiliates such as Viator or GetYourGuide, hotel or attraction affiliate programs]. We only recommend products, places, and experiences we genuinely think are worth your time.
Sponsored Content & Brand Partnerships
Some blog posts, newsletter features, and social media posts are paid partnerships or sponsored by a brand. These are always disclosed — clearly labeled as “#ad,” “#sponsored,” or “Paid Partnership with [Brand]” — using both a written disclosure and, on Instagram/TikTok/YouTube, the platform’s built-in paid-partnership tag.
Gifted Items & Hosted Experiences
When we receive a complimentary product, meal, stay, or experience in exchange for coverage, we disclose it as “gifted” or “hosted by [Brand].” Receiving something for free never guarantees positive coverage — our opinions are our own.
Newsletter Partner Content
It’s Somewhere Local features paid placements through our “Become a Partner” program. Sponsored sections of the newsletter are clearly labeled (e.g., “Presented by” or “In Partnership With”) and visually separated from editorial content.
Our Editorial Independence
Compensation, gifted products, or affiliate relationships never dictate our opinions. We only partner with brands and products we’d genuinely recommend to our own readers and community.
Questions
For advertising or partnership inquiries, contact [email protected] (brand partnerships) or [email protected] (newsletter “Become a Partner” inquiries).
Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy
Unless otherwise noted, all content on itssummerssomewhere.com and itssomewherelocal.beehiiv.com — including text, photographs, videos, graphics, and the “It’s Summers Somewhere” and “It’s Somewhere Local” names and logos — is the property of Lisa Summers / Summers Social and is protected by U.S. copyright and trademark law.
Permitted Use
You may view, share links to, and quote brief excerpts of our content (with clear attribution and a link back to the original) for personal, non-commercial purposes.
Prohibited Use
Without our prior written permission, you may not:
- Republish, reproduce, or redistribute our photos, videos, or full articles on another website, publication, or social account.
- Use our content for commercial purposes.
- Remove watermarks, credits, or copyright notices from our images.
- Scrape or bulk-download content from the Sites.
Requesting Permission
To request permission to use our content — for press, education, or other purposes — email [email protected] or [email protected] with details of the intended use.
Trademarks
“It’s Summers Somewhere,” “It’s Somewhere Local,” and associated logos are trademarks of Lisa Summers / Summers Social. They may not be used without permission.
Third-Party & Contributor Content
Content from guest contributors, brand partners, or stock image providers is credited where used and remains the property of its respective owner.
User-Submitted Content
By submitting an event, photo, or other content to us (e.g., via “Submit Your Event”), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish, edit, and promote that content across our Sites, newsletter, and social channels, as described in our User-Generated Content Policy.
Reporting Infringement
If you believe your copyrighted work has been used on our Sites without permission, see our DMCA Policy for how to submit a takedown notice.
DMCA Policy
We respect the intellectual property rights of others and respond to valid notices of alleged copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Designated Agent
DMCA takedown notices should be sent to our designated agent: [INSERT DMCA AGENT NAME/EMAIL — can be Lisa or a registered third-party agent. Consider registering the agent with the U.S. Copyright Office’s DMCA Designated Agent Directory for full Safe Harbor protection.]
Filing a Takedown Notice
A valid notice must include:
- Identification of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed.
- Identification of the material you claim is infringing, including its URL on our Sites.
- Your name, address, phone number, and email address.
- A statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
- A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on their behalf.
- Your physical or electronic signature.
Our Process
Upon receiving a valid notice, we will remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material and notify the party who posted it (where applicable, such as an event submitter).
Counter-Notification
If you believe content was wrongly removed, you may submit a counter-notice with: identification of the removed material and its former location, a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good-faith belief the material was removed by mistake or misidentification, your contact information, and your consent to jurisdiction in the relevant federal court.
Repeat Infringers
We reserve the right to terminate submission or comment privileges for users who repeatedly infringe on others’ intellectual property.
User-Generated Content Policy
This policy covers content our readers submit or share with us, including “Submit Your Event” listings, blog comments, and photos/tags shared with us on social media (together, “User Content”).
Submission Guidelines
When you submit User Content, you confirm that it is:
- Accurate and, to your knowledge, up to date (for event submissions: correct dates, times, location, and pricing).
- Lawful, and not defamatory, harassing, spammy, or infringing on anyone else’s rights.
- Content you own or have permission to share, including any photos submitted.
License You Grant Us
By submitting User Content, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to edit, publish, feature, and promote that content across itssummerssomewhere.com, itssomewherelocal.beehiiv.com, our newsletter, and our social channels, with credit given where feasible.
Moderation
We review all submissions before publishing and reserve the right to edit, reject, or remove any User Content at our sole discretion — including event listings that appear inaccurate, promotional spam, or not aligned with our audience.
No Guarantee of Publication or Payment
Submitting an event or other content does not guarantee it will be published, and submission is unpaid unless we’ve separately agreed to compensation in writing.
Accuracy of Third-Party Event Details
Event details published on our Sites are provided by organizers or the public and may change without notice. Always confirm directly with the venue or organizer before attending.
Requesting Removal
If you’d like content you submitted removed, or believe your photo or content was used without permission, email [email protected] (event submissions) or [email protected] (blog comments/other content).
Website Disclaimer
The information on itssummerssomewhere.com and itssomewherelocal.beehiiv.com is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes only.
Not Professional Advice
Nothing on the Sites should be taken as legal, financial, medical, or other professional advice. Content related to Summers Social’s consulting or speaking services describes our general approach only; any specific engagement is governed by a separate written agreement, and outcomes/results are never guaranteed.
Accuracy of Event & Travel Information
Event dates, prices, hours, and locations change. We do our best to keep listings current, but you should always verify details directly with the venue or organizer before attending — we are not responsible for outdated or inaccurate third-party information.
Assumption of Risk
Festivals, outdoor events, travel, and activities featured on the Sites carry inherent risks. By choosing to attend or participate in anything featured on our Sites, you do so at your own risk.
External Links
Our Sites link to third-party websites and businesses for your convenience. We don’t control and aren’t responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of those sites.
Affiliate & Sponsored Content
Some content includes affiliate links or paid partnerships — see our FTC Affiliate & Sponsored Content Disclosure.
No Warranty
The Sites and their content are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
Corrections
Spot an error? Email [email protected] or [email protected] and we’ll take a look.
Newsletter Terms
These terms apply to It’s Somewhere Local, our weekly newsletter covering things to do in Maryland, the DMV, and beyond, delivered via Beehiiv.
Subscribing
Subscribing to It’s Somewhere Local is free. By subscribing, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter and, occasionally, partner or sponsored features within it.
What to Expect
- A weekly roundup of local events, festivals, dining, and things to do.
- Occasional sponsored sections through our “Become a Partner” program, always clearly labeled (see our FTC Disclosure).
- Occasional giveaways or reader promotions (see our Giveaway Terms).
How Your Data Is Used
Beehiiv, our email service provider, processes your email address to deliver the newsletter and manage your subscription. See our Privacy Policy for full detail on data handling.
Unsubscribing
Every issue includes an unsubscribe link. Unsubscribe requests are processed immediately and automatically through Beehiiv.
Acceptable Use
Subscribers may not resell, scrape, or redistribute newsletter content or subscriber lists, or use the newsletter reply function to send spam or abusive messages.
Changes
We may update these Newsletter Terms from time to time; continued subscription after changes are posted means you accept the revised terms.
Contact
Questions about the newsletter? Email [email protected].
