Amazing Experiences Sweepstakes Rules

National Aquarium’s Amazing Experiences Sweepstakes

Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Void where prohibited by law and in NY, RI, and FL. Subject to all federal, state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. Promotion begins on November 26, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time ("ET") and ends on December 20, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. ET (the "Promotion Period"). The National Aquarium’s computer is the official time keeping device for this Promotion.

1. Eligibility: The Amazing Experiences Sweepstakes (the “Promotion”) is open to legal US residents (excluding those in FL, NY, and RI) who are at least eighteen (18) years old or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of permanent residence, whichever is greater, as of the date of entry. Employees, officers, and directors of National Aquarium ("Sponsor") or any of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, representatives, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, advertising, public relations, promotional, fulfillment, and marketing agencies, web site providers, web masters, and members of their immediate families (spouses, parents, siblings and children, regardless of where they live) and those living in the same household are not eligible to enter or win. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and to Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify the eligibility of winners.

2. Sponsor: National Aquarium, 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21202.

3. How to Enter:: To enter the sweepstakes, log on to http://www.aqua.org/win and complete one of the six following National Aquarium online transactions: (1) buy a full price admission ticket online for a National Aquarium visit in December 2012; (2) buy a new or renew an existing National Aquarium membership online; (3) donate a minimum of $25 online to the National Aquarium; (4) purchase a National Aquarium Aquadopt package online; (5) purchase a National Aquarium Gift Ticket online; or (6) make an in-kind donation of one of several wish-list items found at aqua.org/wishlists. You may also enter on-site at the National Aquarium by (1) purchasing a National Aquarium gift ticket; (2) making a donation of a minimum of $25 to the National Aquarium; or (3) buy a new or renew an existing National Aquarium membership. Upon completion and submission of the transaction, you automatically will be entered with one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes. You may also enter for free by sending a 3x5 card to National Aquarium, 501 East Pratt St, Baltimore MD 21202, Attention: Marketing Re: Amazing Experiences Sweepstakes with the following information: Full name, valid home address and e-mail address. Limit one entry per stamped outer envelope. P.O. Boxes are not permitted. You must provide all required information to be eligible to enter and win. All potential winners are subject to verification before any prize will be awarded. Normal Internet access, phone, and usage charges imposed by your online or phone service may apply. Limit: one entry per person per day during the Promotion Period. Bulk, automated and/or third party entries are prohibited and will be disqualified. Any attempt by any participant to obtain more than the stated number of plays and/or entries by using multiple and/or different identities, forms, registrations, email addresses, logins, or any other methods will void that participant's plays and/or entries, and that participant may be disqualified at discretion. In the event of a dispute as to any registration or play, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the registrant or player. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Potential winners may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder to the Sponsor or forfeit the prize. Entries specifying an invalid, non-working, or inactive email address will be disqualified and ineligible to win.

Sponsor and Sponsor’s agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, representatives or service providers may use entrants’ and/or referrals’ personal information submitted with entry for purposes of prize fulfillment and/or for future marketing by Sponsor, such as to notify them of a product or promotion that Sponsor thinks may be of interest. Sponsor will not sell personal information submitted with entry to outside solicitors.

4. Selection of Winners: One (1) winner will be selected from the eligible entrants by random draw starting on December 17, 2012 and each subsequent day until December 21, 2012. Sponsor will award one (1) Grand Prize each day of the Promotion according to the schedule below. Sponsor will select the name of potential winners of the prizes in a random drawing from among all entries received. The odds of winning are based on the number of eligible entries received. The potential Winner[s] will be notified by email by a National Aquarium team member on the day of prize drawing as well as publicly announced by the National Aquarium via social media and online channels. Except where legally prohibited, each potential Grand Prize winner must sign and return, within seven (7) days of being notified, an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential Winner cannot be contacted in person via email, telephone, and/or registered mail after the first attempt to contact him/her, or if he/she fails to sign and return the Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release or Declaration of Compliance within the required time period (if applicable), or if potential Winner and his/her companion are unavailable to travel within any time period specified by Sponsor, or in the event that a potential Winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner selected by a random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.

Verification of Potential Winners: All potential WINNERS are subject to verification by Sponsor, whose decisions are final AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE PROMOTION. An entrant is not a winner of any prize unless and until entrant’s eligibility HAS been verified and entrant has been notified that verification is complete.

5. Prizes: Five (5) Grand Prizes will be awarded. Sponsor will award one (1) Grand Prize each day of the Promotion according to the schedule below:

(a) Meet the Animals of Blacktip Reef. Winner chosen on 12/17/12. Go on a “hard-hat tour” behind the scenes of the construction of Blacktip Reef, and be one of the first people to meet our newest additions to the National Aquarium, Baltimore. Take a tour of the Animal Care Center, see how our salt water is made and tested, and visit our exhibit fabrication shop where we are currently creating coral for Blacktip Reef. Prize includes admission for up to four (4) people to the National Aquarium and a Blacktip Reef tour for up to four (4) people. Participants in the Blacktip Reef tour must be at least eight (8) years old and all children under the age of sixteen (16) must be accompanied by an adult. Travel to the National Aquarium, taxes, tip and other costs are the responsibility of the winner and are not included in the Grand Prize.

(b) Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes - The Extreme Experience - Winner chosen on 12/20/12. On this personal guided tour with our Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes curator, you will get the full behind-the-scenes tour of this incredible exhibit, up close encounters with our most popular animals, participate in feedings, and see areas of Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes not usually seen by our guests. Prize includes admission for up to four (4) people to the National Aquarium and a Wild Extremes tour for up to four (4) people. Participants in the Wild Extremes tour must be at least eight (8) years old and all children under the age of sixteen (16) must be accompanied by an adult. Travel to the National Aquarium, taxes, tip and other costs are the responsibility of the winner and are not included in the Grand Prize.

(c) Go Behind the Scenes with the Dolphins - Winner chosen on 12/21/12.Go on a private meet and greet with our dolphins, tour the dolphin area, see how we prepare food for our favorite marine mammals, check out the dolphin’s extensive toy collection, and learn behind the scenes secrets from our trainers. You will get to work with the trainer during a training session, learn how we communicate with the dolphins, and participate in enrichment and play activities, all while working alongside our marine mammal specialists! Prize includes admission for one (1) person to the National Aquarium and one (1) private dolphin tour. Winner/participant must beat least eighteen (18) years old. Travel to the National Aquarium, taxes, tip and other costs are the responsibility of the winner and are not included in the Grand Prize.

(d) Experience the Rainforest like Never Before - Winner chosen on 12/18/12.Work side by side with our Upland Tropical Rainforest staff for a morning. Prepare food and feed our 15 species of birds, learn about and tend to a wide range of tropical plants, including a cacao tree – where chocolate comes from! Meet and feed our golden lion tamarin monkeys, and help care for our poison dart frogs! Prize includes admission for one (1) person to the National Aquarium and one (1) Rainforest tour. Winner/participant must be at least eighteen (18) years old. Travel to the National Aquarium, taxes, tip and other costs are the responsibility of the winner and are not included in the Grand Prize.

(e) Name our Baby Loggerhead Sea Turtle - Winner chosen on 12/19/12. The baby loggerhead sea turtles that are a part of the National Aquarium, Washington, DC’s loggerhead sea turtle early rehabilitation program are so adorable! Give our newest turtle, arriving in December 2012, a head start towards success with a name to carry him (or her) into the future! You will get to have a private meet and greet with your turtle, and once on display, the turtle tank will feature a sign with the turtle’s name and your name! Prize includes admission for up to four (4) people to the National Aquarium and a Sea turtle experience for up to four (4) people. Participants in the sea turtle tour must be at least eight (8) years old and all children under the age of sixteen (16) must be accompanied by an adult. Travel to the National Aquarium, taxes, tip and other costs are the responsibility of the winner and are not included in the Grand Prize.

Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of each Grand Prize: $1,000. Total ARV of all prizes to be awarded: $5,000. Limit one prize per person and per household.

Prize Restrictions: Any and all applicable federal, state, and local taxes and all fees and expenses related to acceptance and use of prizes not specifically stated herein are the sole responsibility of the individual prize winner. Prize cannot be substituted, assigned, transferred, or redeemed for cash; however, Sponsor reserves the right to make equivalent prize substitutions at its sole discretion. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prizes. Prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or offer. Prizes must be redeemed by winner no later than November 1, 2013.

6. General Conditions: This Promotion is governed by the laws of the United States. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Promotion, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Promotion, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor, and its agencies are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, stolen, misdirected, or illegible entries; lost, interrupted, or unavailable network, server, or other connections, garbled transmissions or miscommunications, telephone transmission problems; computer or software malfunctions or damage to a user’s computer equipment (software or hardware); technical failures; or other errors or malfunctions of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, or otherwise. Proof of sending or submission of entry will not be deemed proof of receipt by Sponsor. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROMOTION OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW, AND, SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PROSECUTE AND SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be attempting to tamper with or undermine the entry process, aqua.org and/or the legitimate operation of the Promotion; to violate the Official Rules; or to act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person. If, for any reason, the Promotion is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, void any suspect entries and (a) modify the Promotion or suspend the Promotion to address the impairment and then resume the Promotion in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) cancel or terminate the Promotion (or any portion thereof) and award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment.

7. Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in this promotion, entrants agree that Sponsor and its affiliates, subsidiaries, representatives, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, advertising, public relations, promotional, fulfillment and marketing agencies, their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (the “Released Parties”) are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software]; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Promotion or receipt or use or misuse of any prize. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that production, technical, seeding, programming or any other reasons cause more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available and/or claimed Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, un-awarded, eligible prize claims.

BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROMOTION, ENTRANTS AGREE THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR, AND SHALL BE HELD HARMLESS BY ENTRANTS AGAINST, ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURIES, LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND TO PERSONS, INCLUDING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, OR PROPERTY RESULTING IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, MISUSE, OR USE OF THE PRIZE, ENTRY, OR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROMOTION OR IN ANY PROMOTION RELATED ACTIVITY, OR ANY CLAIMS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION OR INVASION OF PRIVACY, OR MERCHANDISE DELIVERY. THE RELEASED PARTIES ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF ANY PRIZE CANNOT BE AWARDED DUE TO TRAVEL CANCELLATIONS, DELAYS, OR INTERRUPTIONS DUE TO ACTS OF GOD, ACTS OF WAR, NATURAL DISASTERS, WEATHER, OR TERRORISM.

BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROMOTION, PARTICIPANTS AGREE THAT THE RELEASED PARTIES WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES, DAMAGES, OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES TO PERSONS, [INCLUDING DEATH, OR TO PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF ACCESS TO AND USE OF INTERNET SITE www.AQUA.ORG OR THE DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM SAID SITE.

WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EVERYTHING REGARDING THIS PROMOTION, INCLUDING WWW.AQUA.ORG ALL PRIZES, ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY. CHECK LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.

8. Publicity. EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW, WINNERS GRANT TO SPONSOR (WHICH GRANT WILL BE CONFIRMED IN WRITING ON REQUEST OF SPONSOR), THEIR SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES, SUPPLIERS, AND THOSE ACTING PURSUANT TO ITS AUTHORITY, THE RIGHT AND PERMISSION TO PRINT, PUBLISH, BROADCAST, AND USE, WORLDWIDE IN ANY MEDIA NOW KNOWN OR HEREAFTER DEVELOPED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WORLD WIDE WEB, AT ANY TIME OR TIMES, EACH WINNER’S NAME, PORTRAIT, PICTURE, VOICE, LIKENESS, AND BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION FOR ADVERTISING, TRADE, AND PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES (INCLUDING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS OR HER NAME ON TELEVISION OR RADIO BROADCAST) WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION, COMPENSATION, PERMISSION, OR NOTIFICATION. ENTRANTS AGREE THAT SPONSOR SHALL OWN THE ENTRIES, WHICH WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED OR RETURNED, AND THAT SPONSOR AND ITS DESIGNEES SHALL HAVE THE PERPETUAL, WORLDWIDE RIGHT TO EDIT, PUBLISH, AND USE THE ENTRIES IN ANY WAY AND IN ANY MEDIA FOR TRADE, ADVERTISING, PROMOTIONAL, AND/OR OTHER PURPOSES AS SPONSOR AND/OR ITS DESIGNEES MAY DETERMINE WITHOUT FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO ENTRANTS OR ANY THIRD PARTY.

9. Disputes. Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Promotion or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Maryland or the appropriate State Court located in Baltimore City, Maryland; (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Promotion, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, indirect, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Promotion, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland; without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland.

10. Privacy: Information collected from entrants is subject to the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, which can be found at http://www.aqua.org.

11. Official Rules and Winners List: For a copy of the Official Rules, visit http://www.aqua.org or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope for receipt by December 1, 2012: National Aquarium, 501 East Pratt St, Baltimore MD 21202, Attention: Marketing Re: Amazing Experiences Sweepstakes . For a list of winner(s) available after December 21, 2012 send a stamped, self-addressed envelope for receipt by December 21, 2012 to: National Aquarium, 501 East Pratt St, Baltimore MD 21202, Attention: Marketing Re: Amazing Experiences Sweepstakes.

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