Legal Mandatories
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S., D.C. & Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 years of age or older as of date of entry. Starts at 12:00 a.m. ET on January 24, 2012 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on February 28, 2012. For entry details and Official Rules, visit www.facebook.com/starwoodhotelstravelexclusives . The What Does Vacation Mean to You? Contest is void in Quebec and where prohibited. Sponsored by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
OFFICIAL RULES. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
- Contest Period: The What Does Vacation Mean to You? Contest (the “Contest”), which includes a Voting Sweepstakes, begins at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) on January 24, 2012 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on February 28, 2012 (the “Contest Period”). Sponsor's computer is the official time keeping device for this Contest.
- Eligibility: The Contest is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry. Employees of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Votigo, Inc., and any of their respective parent and affiliate companies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Void in Quebec and where prohibited by law and subject to all federal, state, local, provincial and municipal laws.
- How To Enter The Contest: During the Contest Period, you can enter the Contest through the [INSERT APPLICATION NAME] application on the Facebook Platform (“Site”). You can also find the application at www.facebook.com/starwoodhotelstravelexclusives. You must “Like” the page and then you may then register and share what “vacation means to you” by submitting a photo, story, poem, or combination of any (“Entry” or “Entry Materials”). The person uploading the Entry will be deemed the entrant (the “Entrant”). By entering, you understand and agree that your Entry in its entirety or a portion thereof may (in Sponsor’s sole discretion) be posted on the Site, television and/or other Sponsor-selected media now known or hereafter developed in connection with its business. All Entries must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 28, 2012 to be eligible to win. Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by Entrants’ online service provider will apply.
- Entry Requirements: In order to be entered into the Contest, Entrants must comply with registration instructions when submitting their Entry. Photo submissions must be in one of the following formats: .jpg, .jpeg, or .gif file and be under 3MB. All Entries must be in English and must comply with these Official Rules and the registration instructions in order to be eligible. All Entries must be the sole, original work of the Entrant. Entrants may not copy or otherwise plagiarize any portion of the Entry from any other source. Entries may not have been published previously or have been submitted in any other competition. The Entrant must own all rights in and to the Entry. Entries must be in keeping with Sponsor’s image, or desired image, or they will be disqualified. The Entry may not contain obscene, lewd or inappropriate images or text including no nudity, acts of violence or acts that appear to cause harm or are illegal/dangerous, as determined in Sponsor’s sole discretion. By submitting an Entry with a photo, you attest that you have made all those depicted in the photo aware that you are entering a photo on their behalf (they must be 18 years of age or older) and all depicted have agreed that you may submit such photo. You may be required to submit signed release forms from each of the people appearing in your photo at Sponsor’s request.
Any Entry Material or portion thereof that is, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, obscene, profane, lewd, defamatory, or otherwise violates or infringes (or may infringe) any copyright, or other proprietary right of any person living or deceased (including but not limited to rights of privacy or publicity or portrayal in a false light) or entity, or is otherwise objectionable, will not be considered and may disqualify the Entrant. Clothing worn in the Entry should not contain any visible logos (other than those owned by Sponsor), drawings, cartoons, phrases, trademarks or other third-party materials. Entrants may not copy or otherwise plagiarize the Entry Material from any source. Sponsor has the sole discretion to determine whether a story, photo, poem, or combination qualifies as an Entry. Limit one Entry per Entrant for the entire Contest Period.
By entering, you represent and warrant that your Entry is: (a) wholly original; (b) does not incorporate or include anything that would require the consent of any third party; and (c) does not violate any copyright, trademark, publicity right, privacy right, or any other right of any third party.
By submitting an Entry, Entrant hereby grants the Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, licensees, designees and legal representatives the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide digital and other rights to use, reproduce, edit, market, store, distribute, have distributed, publicly and privately display, communicate, publicly and privately perform, transmit, have transmitted, create derivative works based upon, and promote the Entries or excerpts of Entries (as such may be edited and modified by the Sponsor in its discretion) for editorial, commercial, promotional and all other purposes (including posting on the Site, Sponsor-affiliated websites, television and/or other Sponsor-selected media). In addition, Entrant hereby assigns to the Sponsor all rights, titles, and interests that he/she may be deemed to have in any reproduction, product, or derivative work using or incorporating the Entry. Entrant further agrees to waive any moral rights in the Entry. Automated, script, macro or robotic Entries submitted by individuals or organizations will be disqualified. If, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, the Entry appears to have resulted in any injury or bodily harm, it will be rejected. Entries must be in keeping with Sponsor's image and may not be offensive, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, nor can it defame or invade publicity rights or privacy rights of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon any person's personal or proprietary rights. In such an event, Entrant will be disqualified from the Contest. Submitted Entries (or portions thereof) may be posted on the Site or other websites after they have been screened. Any Entry deemed inappropriate or unsuitable or in bad taste, in Sponsor’s sole discretion will be disqualified and may be removed from the Site at any time. Any Entry not in compliance with the above and which does not meet the requirements of these Official Rules and those of the Site will be disqualified. Photos must be in keeping with Sponsor's image and may not be offensive, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. In such an event, the Entry will not be posted online and will be disqualified from the Contest. All Entries submitted become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. No information regarding Entries or judging, other than as otherwise set forth in the Official Rules will be disclosed.
- Initial Voting Period: In all marketing materials, the Initial Voting Period may also be referenced as “Round 1.” All eligible Entries will be posted to the Site for the duration of the Contest Period for viewing/voting by the general public. Consumers will have the opportunity to register and vote for their favorite Entry. Voting will be limited to one (1) vote per Entry per person per day during the Initial Voting Period/Round 1. Entrants will be disqualified if automatic voting software is used in their favor. NOTE: For all online Voting, any attempt to use multiple e-mail or Facebook accounts or other tactics to enter or vote more than the stated limit may result in disqualification and all associated Entries and/or votes will be void. Entries or votes generated by script, macro, bot, commercial Contest subscription, vote-swapping sites, incentives or Sweepstakes for voters, voting software, entering service sites or any other automated means and Entries or votes by any means that subvert the Entry/Voting process or do not conform to the spirit of these Official Rules will void the Entry/votes and may disqualify the Entrant.
- Judging to Determine the Finalists: At the conclusion of the Initial Voting Period, or Round 1 of the Contest, all eligible Entries will be judged to determine ten (10) Finalists to move onto the Final Voting Period. The Entries will be judged by a Sponsor-selected panel of judges based on the following criteria: (a) Inventiveness (creativity, inspiration, specificity) (75%) and (b) votes from the Voting Period (25%). Judges’ decisions are final with respect to all matters relating to the Contest. In the event of a tie, tied Entries will be rejudged by the judges based solely on: Inventiveness. No information regarding Entries or judging will be disclosed to any third party not involved in the conduct of the Contest.
- Final Voting Period/ How to Enter the Voting Sweepstakes (“Voting Sweepstakes”): In all marketing materials, the Final Voting Period may also be referenced as the “Final Round” of the Contest. The ten (10) Finalists will be posted to the Contest Website beginning 5:00 a.m. ET on March 6, 2012 through 11:59 p.m. ET on March 20, 2012 for viewing/voting by the general public. During the Final Voting Period/Final Round, you may visit the Contest Site and register to vote for your favorite Finalist Entry. Limit one vote per person, per email address, per Entry, during the Final Voting Period for a total of ten (10) votes maximum per person. No voter may vote for the same Entry more than once during the entire Final Voting Period/Final Round. Once a vote has been submitted and received by Sponsor, the person submitting the vote will earn one Sweepstakes entry into the Voting Sweepstakes. The top Finalist that receives the most votes will be deemed the Grand Prize winner. The next two (2) Finalists that receive the most votes will be deemed the First Prize winners. In the event of a tie, Sponsor will make the final determination of the winner(s). Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by voter’s online service will apply and are voters’ sole responsibility. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, corrupted, incomplete or damaged votes. Proof of submission is not proof of receipt by Sponsor.
- Voting Sweepstakes Random Drawing: One (1) Voting Sweepstakes winner will be selected from among all eligible Voting Sweepstakes entries received during the Final Voting Period indicated above on or about March 27, 2012, in a random drawing from among all eligible Voting Sweepstakes entries received during the Final Voting Period. Random drawing will be conducted by Administrator, an independent judging organization whose decisions, along with Contest Entities are final on all matters related to the random drawing. Each eligible vote during the Final Voting Period, will earn entrant an entry into the Voting Sweepstakes, up to ten (10) entries total per person. Odds of winning the Voting Sweepstakes Prize will be dependent upon the number of eligible Voting Sweepstakes entries received.
- Prizes and Approximate Retail Values (“ARV”):
Grand Prize (1): One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive 100,000 Starpoints to be redeemed for air transportation for 2 booked flights via SPG flights; up to 125,000 Starpoints to redeem for a five (5) night stay in a standard room at a participating property of the winner’s choice in North America up to a category 6 property; the number of Starpoints awarded will depend on the category of the property chosen by the winner. Winner will also receive a $1,000 USD via check for spending money on the trip. The Grand Prize winner will receive this within 60 days of returning the completed forms and/or approval that the Grand Prize winner is eligible for the prize based on residency and tax purposes; and two (2) Maui Jim Sunglasses gift cards (value of $350 each). Maui Jim gift cards may only be redeemed by calling 1-888-666-5905 or by redeeming online at www.MauiJimgiftcard.com. Not redeemable for cash, barter or previous purchases. Neither Maui Jim nor Sponsor is responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged cards or any unauthorized card use. (MAX ARV of complete prize: USD$7,325).
First Prize (2): Two (2) First Prize winners will receive up to 32,000 Starpoints to redeem for a two (2) night weekend stay in a standard room at a participating property in North America, of the winner’s choosing up to a category 5 property. Must be used on a Friday and/or Saturday night. The number of Starpoints awarded will depend on the property and category chosen by the winner. (MAX ARV: USD$800 each).
Voting Sweepstakes Winner (1): One (1) winner will receive up to 32,000 Starpoints to redeem for a two (2) night weekend stay in a standard room at a participating property in North America, of the winner’s choosing up to a category 5 property. Must be used on a Friday and/or Saturday night. The number of Starpoints awarded will depend on the property and category chosen by the winner. (MAX ARV: USD$800).
Prizes will be awarded provided a sufficient number of eligible Entries and Voting Sweepstakes entries are received. Prizes are not transferable. No cash redemptions, substitution or transfer of prize permitted except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor who reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event a prize is unavailable. All winners will either need to complete a W-9 or W8-BEN if a resident of Canada to be eligible. Taxes related to the prizes are the sole responsibility of the individual winners. All award travel must be completed by December 31, 2012. All winners must be members of the Starwood Preferred Guest (“SPG”) Program. Membership in the SPG program is free, to join, visit www.spg.com. All winners are solely responsible for any and all federal and state taxes and fees associated with the acceptance and use of the prize, including but not limited to travel to and from the hotel, meals and all incidentals. Starpoints will be deposited in SPG member’s account within 4-6 after the winner has been verified (and paperwork submitted). Once Starpoints are in the member’s account, for use of Starpoints and point expiration guidelines, follow the terms of the SPG program. Winners will be given an SPG Customer Contact Care Agent to assist in planning their trips. The SPG Customer Contact Care Agent will book the stay portion of the trip. Trip cannot be booked online or by contacting the hotel or resort directly. SPG is not responsible for flights that exceed the Starpoint redemption value through SPG Flights. Redemption stay will be a standard room (double occupancy) and is subject to availability. For hotels and resorts that do not offer standard rooms, winner will booked in lowest category room at that resort. Food and beverage consumption, resort fees, and any other charges incurred during the stay are not included in prize. Trip must be taken by December 31, 2012. All trips are only valid at participating hotels and resorts in North America (U.S., Canada and Mexico). Certain restrictions and blackout dates apply. First and Voting Sweepstakes Prizes are valid for Friday and Saturday night stays. Visit www.spg.com for category redemption values.
- General Rules: Grand Prize, First Prize, and Voting Sweepstakes winners will be notified initially by email and/or phone. If a winner is not reachable at the telephone number, and/or e-mail address provided and a forwarding e-mail address is not made available or if prize notification is returned as undeliverable, then the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be determined. Potential winners will be required to print out, sign and return via mail/email an Affidavit of Eligibility (or for a Canadian winner, a Declaration of Compliance), liability/publicity release (except where prohibited by law) and an assignment of rights within three (3) days of notification attempt or the prize will be forfeited and alternate winner may be determined. Return of any prize or winner notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and alternate determination. If Voting Sweepstakes winner is a Canadian resident, they will be required to complete a skill-testing question. By participating in the Contest, Entrants/Voting Sweepstakes entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor. The Sponsor and its agencies are not responsible for technical, hardware, software or telephone malfunctions of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications caused by the user or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the Entries/Voting Sweepstakes entries in the Contest or for any liability for damage to any computer system resulting from participation in, accessing or downloading information in connection with the Contest. The Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest/Voting Sweepstakes; violates the Official Rules; or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest/Voting Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. If, for any reason, the Contest (or online voting) is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, then the Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel the Contest or Voting Sweepstakes and determine the winners/Finalists based on judging criteria outlined above and Voting Sweepstakes winners in an applicable random drawing from among all eligible entries received prior to cancellation (and in the event the online voting is cancelled, Sponsor will judge all Entries based on Inventiveness [creativity, inspiration, specificity], only to determine Contest Finalists).
- Release: By submitting a Contest Entry, you represent and warrant that: (i) all rights to the Entry belong to and are original to you, or you have written consent to use, and the Entry does not and shall not infringe on any copyright or any other third party right nor violate any applicable law or regulation, (ii) you have the right to grant any and all necessary rights and licenses provided herein, including without limitation, all necessary copyright and other related rights to the Entry, free and clear of all claims and encumbrances without violating the rights of any person or entity, including any right to privacy or publicity, (iii) you hereby hold the Sponsor harmless from and against any third party claim arising from use of the Entry and you waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Entry or to be compensated for any such uses. Participating in the Contest or Voting Sweepstakes constitutes permission to the Sponsor and its agencies to use Entrants/entrants’ names, biographical information, pictures/portraits, likenesses and/or voices, Entry (as applicable), for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. By participating in the Contest/Voting Sweepstakes, the Entrant/entrant agrees that Sponsor, its respective parent, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, agents, retailers, advertising and promotion agencies, and all of their respective shareholders, officers, directors, employees and assigns, members, representatives and agents, will have no liability whatsoever for, and will be held harmless by entrant for any liability for any bodily injury, loss or damages of any kind to persons, including death, and property, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from Entry creation, the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize, if applicable or participation in the Contest/Voting Sweepstakes or participation in any Contest or related activity. You hereby represent and warrant that you have read these Official Rules and are fully familiar with its contents.
- Data Protection/Privacy Policy: Information collected by Sponsor in connection with this Contest may be used by Sponsor and shared with third parties involved in administration of the Contest in accordance with the online Privacy Policy posted on http://www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/privacy_policy.html and applicable data protection laws. The Entrant/entrant agrees to the collection, processing and storage of his/her personal data by Sponsor in the United States for purposes of the Contest. To access your personal information for purposes of opposing, reviewing, changing or eliminating same, follow the instructions set forth in the Privacy Policy. The data controller and the data recipient is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., One Starpoint, Stamford, CT 06902 USA.
- Disputes: THE CONTEST AND SWEEPSTAKES ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN THE U.S. Entrants agree that all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes or Contest, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively, by arbitration, located in New York, New York. Arbitration shall proceed before a single arbitrator under the rules of the America Arbitration Association then in effect.
- List of Winners: Winners List requests will only be accepted after the Contest end date (listed above) and no later than December 31, 2012. To request a copy of the names of the winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE for US residents only) to: What Does Vacation Mean to You? Contest Winners, c/o Alexandra Rogers, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 39 Dalton Street, Suite 507-8, 5th Floor Regional Office, Boston, MA 02199.
- Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Contest/Voting Sweepstakes is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., One Starpoint, Stamford, CT 06902 USA.
This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By entering you understand your information is being provided to Sponsor and not Facebook to be used in the event you are determined a winner/Finalist.
© 2012 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.