Terms of Service
Last updated: October 23, 2026
1. Who we are and when these Terms apply
These Terms of Service ("Terms") are an agreement between you and Astoria Connect, operated by Stefan Ciancio ([needs Stefan]: legal entity name) ("Astoria Connect," "we," "us") about theastoriaconnect.com, our newsletter, our events and our sponsorship packages (the "Services"). These Terms apply only to people who affirmatively accept them when they sign up for our newsletter or an event, or buy a sponsorship package ("Customers"). If you only browse our website, you are a visitor, not a Customer: these Terms, including the arbitration agreement below, do not apply to you, and we do not claim that you agreed to anything just by visiting. Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle information from every visitor.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 to buy a sponsorship package, and at least 21 to attend events where alcohol is served.
3. Events
Event details, venues and times can change; we will post or email updates. Attend at your own risk and follow venue rules. We may refuse entry to anyone who behaves unsafely or disrespectfully. Photos and videos may be taken at events and shared on our website and social accounts.
4. Sponsorship packages
What is included and the price are shown on the sponsor page before you pay. We may decline content that is unlawful, misleading or off-brand. Once a sponsored post is published, the fee is not refundable; if we cannot deliver what you paid for, we will refund that part.
5. Newsletter
You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email.
6. Acceptable use
Do not break the law, infringe anyone's rights, upload malicious code, scrape the site, or send spam through our forms.
7. Intellectual property
Our name, logo, photos and content belong to us or our licensors.
8. Third-party links and venues
Third-party websites, venues and businesses have their own terms; we are not responsible for them.
9. Disclaimers
THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
10. Limitation of liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, AND OUR TOTAL LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM, OR $100 IF YOU PAID NOTHING.
11. Resolving disputes: informal resolution first
Before starting any arbitration or court case, you and we each agree to send a written Notice of Dispute and try in good faith to resolve it for 60 days. A Notice from you goes to cianci1129@gmail.com with the subject "Notice of Dispute," must include your name, email, a description of the dispute and the relief you want, and must be personally signed by you. Any statute of limitations is paused during this process.
12. Arbitration agreement and class action waiver (Customers only)
This section applies only to Customers.
(a) Unresolved disputes go to binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules (or Commercial Rules for business purchases), governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, by video or phone unless an in-person hearing is needed, in which case in New York County, New York.
(b) Either side may use small claims court instead.
(c) No class, collective, consolidated or representative proceedings.
(d) If 25 or more similar demands are filed by or with the help of the same or coordinated counsel, they are administered under the AAA Mass Arbitration Supplementary Rules; batching is for efficiency only, no outcome binds another claimant, and deadlines are paused for each claimant while waiting.
(e) Fees as set by the AAA rules.
(f) You may opt out within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by emailing cianci1129@gmail.com with the subject "Arbitration Opt-Out."
(g) If the class waiver is unenforceable for a claim, that claim alone goes to court under section 13.
13. Governing law and courts
New York law and applicable U.S. federal law; for matters not in arbitration, the state and federal courts in New York County, New York.
14. California residents
Under California Civil Code Section 1789.3: the Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, CA 95834, (800) 952-5210. Our Privacy Policy includes a section for California residents.
15. Customers in the EU/EEA, UK and Switzerland
Nothing here limits mandatory consumer rights where you live. If your country's law does not allow the arbitration agreement, class waiver or choice of law and courts to apply to consumers, those parts do not apply to you and you may sue where you live.
16. Changes
We will post updates here with a new date; changes apply going forward only and never to a dispute that arose before the change.
17. Contact
Astoria Connect, operated by Stefan Ciancio ([needs Stefan]: legal entity name). Email: cianci1129@gmail.com. Mailing address: [needs Stefan].