Thank you for taking part in this event hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). We hope your experience will be enjoyable, educational, and enable you to network and grow with fellow members. In order to provide you with the best possible experience, we have prepared this Release of Liability (“Release”). Please read this document in full and confirm that you understand the document and agree to abide by its terms by checking the box in registration.

In consideration of being permitted to attend and participate in this event, whether as a participant, volunteer, competitor, judge or host, the undersigned certifies to and agrees with SCA as follows:

AGE, WAIVER & RELEASE

AGE. I am at least 18 years of age.

EQUIPMENT AND DANGER. I understand that coffee roasting, coffee brewing and other equipment may be operated at the event and that such equipment may cause injury to myself or others. If I operate such equipment at the event, I certify that (a) I am experienced and knowledgeable in the safe operation of all such equipment; and (b) I will at all times operate the equipment and conduct myself with due care and with consideration for the safety of others.

RELEASE AND INDEMNITY. By participating in the event and executing this Release, I release SCA and its officers, directors, employees, members and agents (the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability for any injury, loss, or damage arising out of or in connection with my participation in the event (other than the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Released Parties)

I further agree to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from and against any liability for any injury, loss, damage, cost or expense, including attorneys’ fees, arising out of or in connection with my participation, negligence or misconduct at or in connection with the event.

GOVERNING LAW; ARBITRATION. This Release will be governed by, and its provisions enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. In the event a material dispute arises under this Release, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration and resolved by a single arbitrator (who is a lawyer) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. All such arbitration shall be confidential and shall take place at an office of the American Arbitration Association located in Orange County, California. Each party is entitled to depose one fact witness and any expert witness retained by the other party and to conduct such other discovery as the arbitrator deems appropriate. The arbitrator has no authority to award punitive or exemplary damages. The award or decision rendered by the arbitrator shall be final, binding and conclusive and judgment may be entered upon such award by any court. If the preceding provisions of this paragraph are unenforceable under the applicable law of the event venue (“Venue”), then this Release will be governed by, and its provisions enforced in accordance with, the laws of the location of the Venue, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws, and in the event a material dispute arises under this Release, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration and resolved by a single arbitrator under the arbitration rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) at an ICC tribunal in the national capital of the Venue, with the same restrictions on discovery and punitive or exemplary damages as provided above.

SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this Release or its application shall be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be reformed so as to preserve the parties' intent to the greatest extent possible, failing which, such provision shall be severed from this Agreement, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Release constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the undersigned and SCA with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications between the parties.

MODIFICATION.  This Release may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing, signed by the participant and SCA.