Techs Rock Awards | Terms & Conditions

**TechForce Foundation’s Techs Rock Awards Terms & Conditions**

TechForce Foundation’s Techs Rock Awards (the “Techs Rock Awards”) is run by TechForce Foundation® (here forward “TFF”). Please read these terms and conditions, the eligibility and judging criteria, and the timeline for the Techs Rock Awards carefully before nominating a person and/or accepting a nomination to be considered for and potentially win a Techs Rock Award.

By submitting an application and/or accepting a nomination, you accept these terms and conditions and agree to comply with them.

1. Techs Rock Awards

1.1. The eligibility and judging criteria, and the timeline for the Techs Rock Awards is available at
https://techforce.org/techsrock

1.2. Entry to the Techs Rock Awards is in two stages of an application to win: 1) nomination, and 2) your acceptance of the nomination.

1.3. Upon completion of both entry stages, the application will be assessed by TFF staff (hereafter “Staff”). Qualifying applications will be advanced to the review team and then to the judges.

1.4. On submission of an application to the Techs Rock Awards, the application will be assessed against the eligibility criteria, the category parameters, and judging criteria defined at: https://techforce.org/techsrock

1.5. You may register and submit an application to win the Techs Rock Awards at any time from launch until the final submission deadline of 11:59 PM PT on Friday, May 26, 2023.

1.6. There is no entry fee to nominate or accept a nomination.

1.7. Applications to win the Techs Rock Awards and all information relating to any entry must be in English, must be complete, and must comply with all applicable provisions.

1.8. TFF reserves the right at its sole discretion to refuse or disqualify any applicant who does not or ceases to meet the eligibility criteria or which is otherwise in its reasonable opinion is in breach of these terms and conditions or applicable law.

1.9. Please notify TFF in writing by email at info@techforce.org if you decide to withdraw from the Techs Rock Awards for any reason.

1.10. Employees of TFF, members of the panel of judges (hereafter “Judges”) and the family of members of either group are not eligible to register or submit an application to win the Techs Rock Awards.

1.11. TFF will use the contact details provided to contact you (as applicable) about the Techs Rock Awards. All communication between TFF and you about the Techs Rock Awards shall be in English. If you do not respond to any communication within 48 hours, TFF may, at its sole discretion, consider you as having withdrawn from the Techs Rock Awards and, where relevant, select an alternative Finalist or Winner. TFF may share your information with other Partners, media and with companies who help TFF to operate the Techs Rock Awards, support TechForce Foundation’s campaign to reposition the image of technician careers as the high-tech trades that they are and other connected activities. If you do not want TFF to transfer your information in this way, please do not enter the Techs Rock Awards or submit your details to us.

1.12. TFF reserves the right to vary the form or substance of the Techs Rock Awards (including without limitation the eligibility criteria, the judging criteria and requirements, the timeline, deadlines, and these terms and conditions) as TFF deems appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the aims of the Techs Rock Awards. Such variations become effective immediately upon the posting of the varied Terms of Use on the website. By continuing to use the website you will be deemed to accept such variations.

1.13. Judges and Staff reserve the rights to reassign or re-categorize you to a different award category if, at their sole discretion, they feel the other category better suits the submission.

1.14. TFF reserves the right to not award categories should entries received not reach the required standard.

1.15. Judges’ decisions are final and TFF will have the final decision resolving any disputes.

1.16. Feedback on entries is at the discretion of the Judges and will be communicated via Staff.

1.17. TFF also reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend or terminate the Techs Rock Awards if:

a) funding for the Techs Rock Awards is reduced materially or withdrawn;

b) TFF determines in its reasonable opinion that the Techs Rock Awards will no longer achieve its aims or is no longer relevant or useful; or

c) there are changes or developments outside its control that affect the Techs Rock Awards (including without limitation changes to the law).

1.18. No compensation will be paid to participants if the Techs Rock Awards is changed, suspended or terminated by TFF in accordance with paragraphs 1.14 or 1.17 of these terms and conditions.

1.19. TFF has no responsibility or liability to the entrants except as detailed in these terms and conditions.

1.20. The copyright and all other rights in the material on this website are owned by TechForce Foundation or are included with the permission of the owner of the rights.

2. Your commitments to TFF

2.1 To submit an application to win, and be considered for Techs Rock Awards prizes and honors, you must:

a) satisfy the eligibility criteria;

b) ensure that all information submitted as part of the Techs Rock Awards is true, accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge;

c) provide promptly any additional information TFF reasonably requests which are part of the Techs Rock Awards nomination and/or verification process;

d) if you win a Techs Rock Award, to develop and market your win entry and story;

e) act lawfully, ethically and in good faith, and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and codes of practice. You must ensure that any ethical issues, including user-testing of technology related to the Techs Rock Awards, are identified and brought to the attention of TFF;

f) comply with TFF’s reasonable instructions while participating in the Techs Rock Awards, including in relation to health and safety, and security.

g) By accepting the Nomination, you are confirming that you have notified your employer that: 1) you have been nominated and will receive their recommendation for the award category, and 2) if you are selected as a finalist, your supervisor may receive a verification call to confirm employment status and recommendation for the award category.

h) Under no circumstances shall there be any form of communication between the Judges of the TechForce Foundation Techs Rock Awards and the entrants.

3. Information and Publicity

3.1. When accepting the nomination, you must make sure all personal and professional details submitted are entered accurately, including contact details, employer information, and statements, as this will be used in the review and judging process. Any discrepancies or inaccurate statements shall be disclosed to TFF by you at the time of completing the Acceptance Form. This information will also be used for verification and award presentation, if selected as a finalist. TFF takes no responsibility for incorrectly entered details. If entry submissions contain sensitive or confidential information, you must clearly state this within your entry and advise Staff via email at info@techforce.org.

3.2. TFF will use information which you provide, including the personal details of you to administer the Techs Rock Awards and other connected activities. TFF may share those details with its Partners, sponsors of TechForce Foundation’s FutureTech Success campaign, and anyone helping TFF to administer the Techs Rock Awards.

3.3. You must identify and notify to TFF in writing any confidential or sensitive information submitted during the course of the Techs Rock Awards. TFF may share that information with Staff, its Partners, Judges and anyone helping TFF to administer the Techs Rock Awards, to the extent necessary to enable them to perform their duties in relation to the challenge and subject to obligations of confidentiality, but shall otherwise use its best endeavors not to disclose that information to any third party and to adopt appropriate technical measures to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

3.4. By accepting the nomination, you agree to your entry being promoted by TFF and its Partners and to participating in any relevant PR or promotional activities arranged by TFF with no compensation, either by TFF or its Partners either during or after the Awards. TFF reserves the right to compose case studies regarding your entry by using the entry form submitted. By agreeing to be nominated for the Techs Rock Awards, you give your full consent to this activity.

3.5. TFF and its Partners and sponsors may carry out publicity and promotion for the Techs Rock Awards, and publish its research and evaluation in relation to the Techs Rock Awards. By completing a nomination, you agree to participate as required in events, blogs, filming and other publicity for the Techs Rock Awards; and hereby consent to the use of:

a) your names;

b) a summary of your entry (which shall contain no confidential information); and

c) photographs, film and/or sound recordings of your participation in the Techs Rock Awards, in any such promotional material and/or publications in any media and online. All film, photos, sound recordings and other materials created by TFF shall belong to TFF and may be used, published and distributed by TFF without further permission from you.

3.6. Any public statements made by a participant in the Techs Rock Awards about the Techs Rock Awards, either during the Techs Rock Awards or within twelve (12) months following the award of Techs Rock Awards prizes, must acknowledge the support of TechForce Foundation. You must seek prior written approval from TFF for any significant publicity or promotional activity connected to the Techs Rock Awards. Subject to this paragraph 3.6, you shall not use the name, logo, trademarks or any other intellectual property of TFF or its Partners without prior written consent.

4. Notices

Any notice or other communication during the Techs Rock Awards should be sent to info@techforce.org.

5. Exclusion and Limitation of Liability

5.1. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TECHFORCE FOUNDATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOOD-WILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM (A) YOUR ACCESS TO OR PARTICIPATION IN OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR PARTICIPATE IN THE TECHS ROCK AWARDS; (B) ANY CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE PRODUCTS AND PROGRAMS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DEFAMATORY, OFFENSIVE OR ILLEGAL CONDUCT OF THIRD PARTIES INCLUDING JUDGES OR OTHER UNPAID VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE GROUP; OR (C) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR CONTENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL TFF’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR CLAIMS RELATING TO ITS TECHS ROCK AWARDS EXCEED THE AGGREGATE TOTAL ENTRY FEE PAID BY YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE PRODUCT OR PROGRAM AT ISSUE.

5.2 Except as expressly provided for in these Terms and Conditions, TFF shall not in any circumstances be responsible for indirect damages or loss of any kind, including loss of profit, business or revenue, arising out of or in any way connected with the performance or failure to perform these Terms and Conditions, breach of any express or implied term or warranty, or where the performance of any of TFF’s obligations to you is prevented, frustrated or impeded by any circumstance or cause beyond TFF’s reasonable control, including without limitation fire, flood, lightning, civil commotion, malicious damage, compliance with any law or governmental order, accident to or breakdown of plant, machinery, utilities, computer servers, telecommunications networks or default of suppliers or subcontractors.

5.3. To the extent permitted by applicable law, TFF excludes all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage, including without limitation, any costs, claims, taxes, charges or expenses, arising from your participation in the Techs Rock Awards, including without limitation where these arise as a result of:

(a) TFF exercising its rights to vary, suspend or terminate the Techs Rock Awards;

(b) your reliance on statements or advice given by TFF or its Partners or contractors before, during or after the Techs Rock Awards;

6. Indemnity

Participating in the Techs Rock Awards involves submission of a single or multiple award entries by you in award categories chosen at your discretion. TFF and its Judges do not independently verify information contained in your award entry and are relying on you to provide accurate and truthful information in your award entry. Your participation in the Techs Rock Awards, including in case of selection of your award entry as a “winner” or “finalist,” is in no way an evaluation, guarantee, warranty, sponsorship, or endorsement of any kind by TechForce Foundation, its owners, employees, or agents of your technical skills or knowledge, or of your Employer, its executives, departments, or any of its business practices, or other characteristics. As such, in no way does TFF assume any responsibility for the quality, condition, efficacy, suitability, safety, fitness, legality (including applicable patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret laws), or reliability of any technician-related service performed, produced, manufactured, distributed, sold, offered, rendered or otherwise made available by you. Nor does TFF assume any responsibility for the workplace conditions, personnel, business practices, or other characteristics of your Employer. Through your participation in the Techs Rock Awards, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless TFF and its owners, officers, directors, employees and agents, including its Judges and corporate sponsors, from and against any claims, suits, proceedings, disputes, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees (including costs of defense of claims, suits or proceedings brought by third parties on any basis whatsoever), in any way related to (a) your access to or participation in the Techs Rock Awards, or (b) TFF’s breach of any of these Terms.

7. No Partnership or Agency

Nothing in these terms and conditions is intended to, or shall be deemed to, establish any partnership or joint venture between you and TFF, constitute any party the agent of another party, or authorize any party to make or enter into any commitments for or on behalf of any other party.

8. Force Majeure

Neither TFF nor its Partners shall be in breach of these terms and conditions, nor liable for any delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of its obligations pursuant to these terms and conditions if such delay or failure results from events, circumstances or causes beyond its reasonable control.

9. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

9.1. These terms and conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona, and you hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Arizona courts.

9.2. Without prejudice to the foregoing, where TFF makes a complaint or independent review process available for disputes arising from the Techs Rock Awards, you agree to pursue any claims or demands which you have against TFF first through such process and to abide by the rules of such process.

9.3. TFF’s programs are controlled and operated from the United States, and TFF makes no representations that they are appropriate or available for use in other locations.

10. Prize Income & Tax Information

10.1 The Internal Revenue Code states that under certain circumstances the value of prizes and awards/gifts to individuals is considered taxable income. Merchandise or products won as a prize or award will be considered at the fair market value and could also be considered taxable income. Nonresident aliens may be subject to additional tax rules regardless of amount, depending on circumstances and treaty status.

10.2 The prize and award/gift amount will be treated as 1099 income. The recipient will receive a Form 1099-MISC from TechForce Foundation on any winnings totaling $600.00 or more in a calendar year.

10.3 The recipient will also be required to provide TechForce Foundation with a completed W-9 form, which includes social security number, to be used for issuing a 1099 for tax purposes, as well as signing a prize/award acceptance form.

10.4 No prizes shall be fulfilled to any one winner until all five winners have completed a W-9 form and provided the completed copy to TechForce Foundation.

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Full Program Terms & Conditions

TechForce Foundation’s Techs Rock Awards Terms & Conditions