EVENT PARTICIPATION WAIVER, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT
Black Business Coalition
Effective Date: June 12, 2026
This Event Participation Waiver, Release of Liability, and Assumption of Risk Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between the participant (“Participant,” “I,” “Me,” or “My”) and the Black Business Coalition (“BBC,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).
By registering for, attending, participating in, volunteering at, exhibiting at, sponsoring, presenting at, or otherwise participating in any Black Business Coalition event, conference, workshop, seminar, networking function, training program, business expo, community gathering, virtual event, webinar, meeting, competition, fundraiser, social event, or related activity (collectively, the “Event”), Participant agrees to the terms of this Agreement.
1. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
I understand and acknowledge that my participation in the Event is completely voluntary.
I freely choose to participate and assume full responsibility for any risks associated with my attendance and participation.
2. ASSUMPTION OF RISK
I acknowledge that participation in the Event may involve certain inherent risks, including but not limited to:
- Personal injury
- Illness
- Accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Property damage
- Theft or loss of personal belongings
- Transportation-related incidents
- Exposure to communicable illnesses
- Exposure to third-party conduct
- Equipment-related incidents
- Food-related reactions or allergies
- Physical activity risks
- Weather-related conditions
- Crowd-related incidents
I voluntarily assume all risks, known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable, associated with my participation.
3. RELEASE OF LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Black Business Coalition and its:
- Officers
- Directors
- Employees
- Volunteers
- Independent contractors
- Affiliates
- Sponsors
- Vendors
- Exhibitors
- Speakers
- Event hosts
- Venue owners
- Venue operators
- Strategic partners
- Representatives
- Agents
(collectively, the “Released Parties”)
from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, injuries, or claims arising from or related to my participation in the Event.
This release includes claims based on negligence to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
4. MEDICAL TREATMENT AUTHORIZATION
In the event of an emergency, I authorize the Black Business Coalition and Event personnel to seek emergency medical treatment on my behalf if deemed necessary.
I understand and agree that:
- The BBC has no obligation to provide medical assistance.
- I am responsible for all medical expenses incurred.
- The BBC is not responsible for the quality or outcome of any medical treatment received.
5. HEALTH AND FITNESS REPRESENTATION
I represent and warrant that:
- I am physically and mentally capable of participating in the Event.
- I have disclosed any condition that may pose a risk to myself or others when required.
- I will comply with all safety instructions and event rules.
I understand that participation may not be appropriate for every individual.
6. PERSONAL PROPERTY
I understand that I am solely responsible for my personal property.
The BBC shall not be liable for:
- Lost property
- Stolen property
- Damaged property
- Misplaced belongings
Participants are encouraged to safeguard their valuables at all times.
7. PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS INTERACTIONS
The Event may provide networking opportunities, business introductions, referrals, educational content, and interactions with vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, service providers, and other participants.
I understand and agree that:
- The BBC does not endorse any participant, speaker, vendor, sponsor, exhibitor, or business.
- The BBC does not verify all statements made during the Event.
- Any business relationship entered into is solely between the parties involved.
- The BBC is not responsible for disputes arising from business interactions.
Participants are encouraged to perform their own due diligence before entering into business relationships.
8. NO GUARANTEE OF BUSINESS RESULTS
The BBC does not guarantee:
- Business opportunities
- Customers
- Clients
- Leads
- Contracts
- Partnerships
- Funding
- Revenue
- Sales
- Earnings
- Sponsorships
- Investments
Any business success stories, testimonials, examples, or presentations are provided for informational purposes only.
Individual results will vary.
9. PHOTO, VIDEO, AUDIO, AND MEDIA RELEASE
I understand that photographs, videos, livestreams, recordings, interviews, testimonials, and other media may be captured during the Event.
I grant the Black Business Coalition an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free right and license to:
- Photograph me
- Record me
- Capture my image
- Capture my likeness
- Record my voice
- Use my name
- Use my business name
- Use my testimonial
for purposes including:
- Marketing
- Advertising
- Social media
- Websites
- Promotional materials
- Press releases
- Educational materials
- Event recaps
- Future event promotion
I waive any right to compensation arising from such use.
10. VIRTUAL EVENT PARTICIPATION
For webinars, livestreams, online meetings, and virtual events, I acknowledge that:
- Internet interruptions may occur.
- Technology failures may occur.
- Access may be temporarily unavailable.
- Recordings may be made.
The BBC shall not be responsible for technology failures outside its reasonable control.
11. CODE OF CONDUCT
Participants agree to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully.
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Harassment
- Discrimination
- Threats
- Violence
- Intoxication that disrupts the Event
- Illegal activity
- Disruptive behavior
- Unauthorized solicitation
- Unauthorized recording of confidential sessions
The BBC reserves the right to remove participants without refund for violations of this Code of Conduct.
12. EVENT CHANGES
The BBC reserves the right to:
- Modify schedules
- Change speakers
- Change venues
- Change event formats
- Cancel sessions
- Reschedule events
- Cancel events entirely
Such changes may occur without prior notice.
The BBC shall not be liable for costs incurred by participants as a result of such changes.
13. FORCE MAJEURE
The BBC shall not be liable for cancellation, delay, or interruption of any Event due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including:
- Natural disasters
- Severe weather
- Public health emergencies
- Government actions
- Civil unrest
- Labor disputes
- Power outages
- Technology failures
- Acts of God
14. INDEMNIFICATION
I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses, or losses arising from:
- My participation in the Event.
- My conduct during the Event.
- My violation of Event rules.
- Injury or damage caused by me to others.
15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE BBC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:
- Lost profits
- Lost business opportunities
- Lost income
- Travel expenses
- Lodging expenses
- Indirect damages
- Consequential damages
- Special damages
- Incidental damages
arising from participation in any Event.
16. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to conflict of law principles.
17. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute arising from this Agreement shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
The arbitration shall occur in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Participants waive the right to a jury trial.
18. CLASS ACTION WAIVER
Participants agree that any claims shall be brought solely on an individual basis.
Participants waive any right to participate in:
- Class actions
- Collective actions
- Representative actions
- Private attorney general actions
19. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement regarding participation in the Event and supersedes prior discussions or understandings concerning the subject matter herein.
21. ELECTRONIC CONSENT
Participant agrees that checking an acceptance box, submitting an event registration form, registering online, electronically signing, or attending an Event constitutes acceptance of this Agreement and creates a legally binding electronic signature under applicable law, including the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN Act).
22. CONTACT INFORMATION
Black Business Coalition
Website:
https://blackbusinesscoalition.org
For questions regarding this Event Participation Waiver, please contact the Black Business Coalition through the contact information provided on the official website.
PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
BY REGISTERING FOR, ATTENDING, OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY BLACK BUSINESS COALITION EVENT, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:
✓ I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT.
✓ I UNDERSTAND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATION.
✓ I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS.
✓ I RELEASE THE BLACK BUSINESS COALITION FROM LIABILITY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
✓ I CONSENT TO THE USE OF MY IMAGE, VOICE, AND LIKENESS AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
✓ I UNDERSTAND THAT BUSINESS RESULTS, LEADS, CUSTOMERS, CONTRACTS, AND EARNINGS ARE NOT GUARANTEED.
✓ I AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT.