Terms and Conditions – The Bennu Center (Raleigh, NC)
These Terms and Conditions apply to use of The Bennu Center, including website use, inquiries, short-term stays, tours, venue rentals, retreats, workshops, private events, public events, filming, photography, food service, vendors, and all other access to the property.
By using www.BennuCenter.com, submitting an inquiry, paying a deposit, entering the property, attending an event, hosting an event, bringing guests or vendors, filming, photographing, staying overnight, or otherwise using The Bennu Center, you agree to these Terms.
If you act on behalf of a group, company, family, organization, vendor team, retreat, festival, or event, you confirm that you are authorized to bind that group to these Terms.
PART I – General Terms, Booking, Pricing, and Property Use
Definitions
“The Bennu Center,” “Bennu,” “we,” “us,” or “the venue” means The Bennu Center, its owners, staff, contractors, representatives, affiliates, and assigns.
“Client,” “Guest,” “Organizer,” “Host,” “Event Organizer,” “you,” or “your” means the person or entity booking, entering, attending, hosting, promoting, or otherwise using the property.
“Property” includes all buildings, grounds, rooms, driveways, parking areas, lawns, gardens, pond areas, wooded areas, kitchens, restrooms, equipment, fixtures, furnishings, and all other areas controlled by The Bennu Center.
Website Terms Versus Signed Agreements
These website Terms apply generally to all use of The Bennu Center.
For events, retreats, filming, vendor markets, public gatherings, or other special uses, Bennu may require a separate signed agreement.
If a signed agreement conflicts with these website Terms, the signed agreement controls for that specific booking.
Bennu Center Values and Property Use
The Bennu Center is an African-centered, eco-conscious, family-owned cultural property created for rest, restoration, learning, healing, cultural memory, and community gathering.
All guests, organizers, vendors, and attendees must treat the land, buildings, neighbors, staff, cultural spaces, family areas, and property with care and respect.
Bennu may decline, limit, cancel, or remove any booking, event, vendor, guest, or activity that is unsafe, unlawful, misrepresented, disruptive, or inconsistent with the property’s values or safety needs.
Standard Pricing, Discounts, and Sponsorships
Bennu maintains standard pricing for lodging, event rentals, venue use, services, and add-ons.
Community, cultural, educational, wellness, nonprofit, or mission-aligned events may apply for a Heritage Discount, sponsored rate, or third-party sponsorship support.
Discounts are discretionary, limited, subject to availability, and not guaranteed for any group.
Non-Discrimination in Pricing and Discounts
Discounts are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or any other protected classification.
Discounts may be considered based on neutral factors such as mission fit, community benefit, educational purpose, cultural purpose, date availability, sponsor availability, staffing burden, operational needs, event size, and property impact.
No applicant is guaranteed a discount, sponsorship, or third-party anonymous sponsorship.
Sponsorship and Public Representation
Any discount, Heritage Discount, sponsored rate, or in-kind support may only be described using language approved by Bennu in writing.
A discount does not make Bennu a producer, co-host, financial sponsor, legal sponsor, partner, employer, agent, guarantor, or joint venturer unless a signed agreement says so.
No organizer may publicly represent Bennu as a sponsor, partner, co-host, producer, funder, or guarantor without written approval.
Deposit Confirms Booking
A booking inquiry, verbal statement, email confirmation, completed form, proposal, invoice, tour appointment, or statement of intent does not reserve or secure any date.
For events, a non-refundable reservation deposit of $1,000 is required to secure the event date unless Bennu states a different amount in writing.
The event date is confirmed only when Bennu has received and accepted the required deposit and issued written confirmation.
Event Agreement Required for Events
Bennu may require a separate signed Event Rental Agreement for any event, retreat, public gathering, private gathering, festival, workshop, vendor market, filming session, or elevated-risk use.
If an event agreement is required, the booking remains subject to completion and signature of that agreement.
Bennu may cancel or release the date if the agreement is not completed by the stated deadline.
Payments and Balances
All pricing, deposits, balances, service fees, cleaning fees, security deposits, taxes, vendor fees, and add-ons are stated in the invoice, proposal, booking confirmation, or signed agreement.
Required payments must clear before access is granted unless Bennu agrees otherwise in writing.
Failed payments, disputed payments, returned payments, or chargebacks may result in cancellation, added fees, collection costs, and loss of access.
Security Deposits
A refundable security deposit may be required separately from the rental fee.
For events, the standard security deposit is $500 per event day or portion of an event day unless Bennu requires a higher amount in writing.
For example, a one-day event requires a $500 security deposit, a two-day event requires a $1,000 security deposit, and a three-day event requires a $1,500 security deposit.
Security Deposit Deductions
Security deposits may be used for damages, excessive cleaning, missing items, unauthorized use, overtime, late departure, vendor violations, guest violations, trash removal, lawn damage, grounds repair, equipment repair, furniture repair, administrative time, or unpaid balances.
Security deposits may be returned within fourteen (14) business days after the event or stay, subject to inspection and final accounting.
If damages or unpaid charges exceed the security deposit, the Client remains responsible for the full amount.
Cancellation, Postponement, and Date Changes
Unless otherwise stated in writing, reservation deposits are non-refundable.
Payments may become non-refundable once a booking is confirmed, staff time is committed, dates are removed from availability, planning begins, third-party costs are incurred, or the cancellation window has passed.
Date changes are not guaranteed and must be approved by Bennu in writing.
Force Majeure and Unforeseen Conditions
Bennu is not liable for delays, interruptions, cancellations, or limitations caused by severe weather, power outages, water outages, illness, government orders, natural disasters, utility failures, security concerns, property damage, or other conditions outside its reasonable control.
Bennu may cancel, postpone, relocate, limit, modify, or reschedule a booking if safety or property protection requires it.
Outdoor and nature-based spaces are subject to weather, insects, mud, heat, cold, uneven ground, pollen, wildlife, and other natural conditions.
PART II – Short-Term Rental Terms and Conditions
Short-Term Stay Terms
Short-term lodging is separate from event rental.
No parties, vendor activity, public events, filming, workshops, classes, ticketed gatherings, or commercial use are allowed under a short-term stay booking unless approved in writing.
Guests must follow house rules, quiet hours, access rules, and all property policies.
Check-In and Check-Out
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM Eastern Time unless otherwise approved.
Check-out is by 10:00 AM Eastern Time unless otherwise approved.
Late check-out begins at 11:01 AM and may incur a $50 fee or additional daily charges.
Guest Rooms and Housekeeping
Guest rooms may have keypad locks.
Housekeeping or authorized Bennu staff may access rooms as needed for cleaning, maintenance, safety, emergencies, inspection, or approved service.
Linens are washed between guest visits, and for extended stays by one guest, linens are washed once every seven (7) days unless otherwise arranged.
Short-Term Guest Policy
All overnight guests must be registered in advance.
Unauthorized overnight guests may result in fees, cancellation, or removal from the property.
Smoking, vaping, illegal drugs, firearms, weapons, fireworks, open flames, candles, incense indoors, and illegal activity are prohibited unless specifically approved in writing.
Short-Term Damage Fees
Guests are responsible for damage, missing items, excessive cleaning, unauthorized guests, smoking, late departure, and policy violations.
Smoking indoors may result in a $250 per day fine plus cleaning and remediation costs.
Unauthorized events under a short-term stay booking may result in a minimum $500 fee plus applicable venue rental fees, damages, cleaning, and legal costs.
PART III – Outdoor Event and Venue Rental Terms and Conditions
Event Approval
All events must be approved by Bennu in writing.
Bennu may require an event description, guest count, schedule, site plan, vendor list, food plan, security plan, parking plan, insurance certificate, permits, media plan, and emergency plan.
Bennu may deny or cancel any event that is unsafe, unlawful, misrepresented, beyond capacity, inadequately insured, insufficiently staffed, improperly permitted, or unsuitable for the property.
Event Categories and Risk Levels
Bennu may classify events by type and risk level.
Categories may include private gatherings, retreats, workshops, trainings, public events, ticketed events, festivals, vendor markets, wellness events, fitness events, children’s events, filming sessions, alcohol events, and high-risk events.
Different insurance, deposits, security, permits, staffing, and restrictions may apply based on the event type.
Approved Areas Only
Access is limited to approved areas only.
Bedrooms, family areas, storage areas, offices, staff areas, private spaces, restricted rooms, and unapproved grounds are off limits unless approved in writing.
The Client is responsible for keeping guests, vendors, contractors, attendees, and participants within approved areas.
Event Capacity and Occupancy
The Client must provide an accurate expected attendance count.
Bennu may limit attendance based on event type, space, parking, staffing, restrooms, safety, insurance, utilities, noise, weather, or operational concerns.
The Client may not exceed the approved attendance count without written approval.
Event Hours, Setup, and Breakdown
Approved event hours, setup times, vendor arrival times, breakdown times, and departure times must be stated in writing.
Access before or after approved times is not permitted without written approval.
Overtime may be billed at the rate stated in the invoice or agreement, or at a reasonable rate determined by Bennu.
Décor, Installations, and Property Modifications
All décor, signage, tents, stages, lighting, banners, arches, furniture movement, vendor booths, sound equipment, generators, heaters, and installations must be approved in advance.
No nails, screws, staples, adhesives, confetti, glitter, paint, wax, dyes, digging, staking, trenching, or property modification may be used without approval.
The Client is responsible for repair, replacement, restoration, and cleaning costs.
Tents, Structures, and Equipment
No tent, stage, platform, canopy, inflatable, generator, temporary structure, heater, cooking station, or electrical installation may be used without written approval.
Bennu may require permits, insurance, anchoring plans, vendor documentation, and site plans.
Unsafe or unauthorized equipment may be removed or shut down.
Outdoor Use and Natural Hazards
Bennu includes outdoor spaces, natural areas, uneven ground, wooded areas, garden areas, pond access, and other natural features.
Use of outdoor spaces is at the Client’s own risk.
Risks may include uneven surfaces, roots, rocks, mud, rain, heat, cold, insects, wildlife, pollen, low visibility, slips, trips, falls, and weather-related conditions.
Lawn and Grounds Protection
Guests, vendors, vehicles, tents, furniture, and equipment must avoid damaging lawns, gardens, trees, paths, and landscaped areas.
Excessive damage to lawns may result in a minimum $200 resodding fee.
Additional repair, restoration, labor, or landscaping costs may be charged if damage exceeds the basic resodding fee.
Pond Area and Water Hazards
Pond access does not include swimming, wading, boating, fishing, ritual immersion, floating objects, or water entry unless approved in writing.
Children, elderly guests, nighttime attendees, and large groups must be actively supervised near the pond.
Bennu may require barriers, monitors, signage, or restricted access near water areas.
Weather and Outdoor Event Backup Planning
The Client is responsible for weather planning, tents, backup plans, guest communication, vendor communication, and weather-related event decisions unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Weather does not automatically entitle the Client to a refund, credit, or date transfer.
Bennu may suspend, relocate, delay, or cancel outdoor activity if safety or property protection requires it.
Fire, Heat, Smoke, and Open Flame
No candles, incense, open flames, fire pits, torches, grills, burners, heaters, fireworks, ceremonial fires, smoke, fog, smudging, herbal burning, smoke cleansing, or flame effects may be used without written approval.
Any approved fire-related activity must comply with law, fire safety rules, weather restrictions, burn bans, venue instructions, and supervision requirements.
The Client is responsible for damage, injury, smoke remediation, fire response costs, fines, or losses related to fire, heat, smoke, or flame.
Kitchen Use
Kitchen use is permitted only if included in the booking or approved in writing.
Kitchen access may be limited to staging, warming, plating, refrigeration, or other approved uses.
The Client is responsible for cleaning, food removal, trash removal, equipment care, spills, clogged drains, broken items, sanitation issues, and any damage caused by kitchen use.
Food, Catering, and Non-Vegan Disclosure
Bennu is a vegan-centered property, but non-vegan food may be allowed for approved outdoor events with advance disclosure.
Meat, dairy, eggs, fish, poultry, and other animal products must be disclosed before the event and kept in approved food-service areas.
Non-vegan food may not be prepared, stored, cooked, or served using Bennu’s vegan cookware, utensils, dishes, appliances, or shared indoor food areas unless Bennu approves in writing.
Non-Vegan Event Food Controls
For approved non-vegan outdoor events, Bennu may require separate pots, pans, utensils, serviceware, prep tools, storage containers, cleaning procedures, and food-service controls.
A 5% food service fee may apply to approved outside catering, food vendors, or non-vegan food service.
The Client is responsible for communicating food rules to caterers, vendors, guests, and attendees.
Food Safety and Caterers
All food service must be approved in advance.
Caterers, food trucks, chefs, food vendors, and mobile food units may not operate on the property without prior approval and proof of required permits, licenses, insurance, and compliance documents.
Bennu is not responsible for foodborne illness, allergic reactions, cross-contamination, mislabeling, vendor food handling, or food safety violations caused by the Client, vendors, guests, or caterers.
Alcohol Policy
Bennu is an alcohol-free venue unless written approval is granted for a specific event.
No alcohol may be served, sold, consumed, brought, distributed, advertised, or included without prior written approval.
If approved, the Client is responsible for permits, licensed service staff, age verification, security, liquor liability or host liquor coverage, transportation planning, and legal compliance.
Vendors and Third Parties
You are responsible for any third-party vendors used, including caterers, tent rentals, DJs, photographers, videographers, performers, food trucks, facilitators, security providers, and rental companies.
Vendor Requirements
All vendors must be approved in advance.
Bennu is not liable for vendor delays, cancellations, negligence, injuries, damages, equipment failures, food issues, lost property, contract disputes, or harm caused by vendors.
The Client is responsible for vendor conduct, vendor damages, vendor cleanup, vendor insurance, vendor compliance, and vendor removal.
Vendor Markets, Sales, and Taxes
If an event includes vendors selling goods, food, services, tickets, merchandise, art, books, consultations, bodywork, wellness services, or other paid offerings, the Client must disclose this in advance and receive approval.
Vendor lists may be required by a deadline set by Bennu.
Organizer is responsible for vendor compliance, taxes, sales tax, ticketing taxes, payment processing fees, reporting, and required filings.
Prohibited Vendor Activity
Prohibited vendor activity includes illegal goods, unsafe products, weapons, firearms, controlled substances, counterfeit goods, hazardous materials, unauthorized alcohol, unauthorized food, or items inconsistent with Bennu’s values or safety.
Bennu may remove vendors who violate rules or create risk.
The Client remains responsible for vendor violations and related charges.
Insurance Requirements
Bennu may require event liability insurance for any event.
Unless waived in writing, events may be required to provide Commercial General Liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, naming Bennu, its owners, staff, contractors, representatives, and affiliated entities as Additional Insured.
Failure to provide acceptable insurance by the deadline may result in cancellation without refund.
Events Requiring Insurance
Insurance may be required for public events, ticketed events, events with vendors, events with food service, events with alcohol, events with minors, events with amplified sound, events with outdoor activities, events with tents or stages, and events involving wellness, fitness, herbalism, bodywork, water-adjacent activity, camping, fire, performance, production, or elevated risk.
Bennu may require higher coverage based on event size, activities, vendors, alcohol, or risk.
The Client is responsible for insurance costs.
Security Requirements
Bennu may require private security, parking attendants, site managers, cleanup staff, or additional safety personnel for any event.
Security may be required for public events, ticketed events, alcohol, minors, evening events, amplified sound, vendors, crowd control, parking control, gate control, or public promotion.
The Client is responsible for security costs.
Minors, Children, and Vulnerable Participants
Events involving minors must be disclosed and approved in advance.
The Client is responsible for supervision, safety, consent, emergency contacts, parent/guardian permission, appropriate staffing, and compliance with child protection requirements.
Children may not be left unsupervised, especially near the pond, kitchen, roads, wooded areas, equipment, fire areas, or restricted spaces.
Health, Wellness, Fitness, Herbalism, and Bodywork
Any event involving yoga, fitness, dance, wellness, herbalism, natural remedies, bodywork, massage, energy work, ceremonies, breathwork, fasting, detox, plant use, food sampling, supplements, ritual activities, or spiritual services must be disclosed and approved.
The Client is responsible for qualified facilitators, waivers, informed consent, safety procedures, emergency planning, insurance, and legal compliance.
Bennu does not endorse medical, health, spiritual, financial, legal, herbal, wellness, or healing claims made by organizers, vendors, facilitators, speakers, or attendees.
Ritual Items, Organic Materials, and Hazardous Materials
No animals, bones, blood, bodily fluids, hazardous materials, soil disposal, water disposal, ashes, ritual remains, sharp objects, organic materials, herbs, powders, oils, candles, smoke materials, or ceremonial materials may be brought, used, buried, burned, poured, scattered, or left on the property without approval.
Bennu may prohibit any ritual, cultural, artistic, spiritual, herbal, or ceremonial activity that creates safety, sanitation, legal, environmental, property, or reputational concerns.
The Client is responsible for cleanup, repair, disposal, or remediation costs.
Media, Filming, Photography, and Recording
No photography, filming, video recording, audio recording, drone use, livestreaming, commercial production, promotional shoot, documentary filming, interview recording, or media capture is permitted without written approval.
Permission to film is not granted until the booking is confirmed by deposit and signed agreement unless Bennu approves otherwise in writing.
Approval may be limited by date, time, location, purpose, platform, usage, personnel, and subject matter.
Filming Restrictions and Releases
Private family areas, restricted areas, sensitive areas, staff-only spaces, guest rooms, personal belongings, private conversations, and individuals who do not consent may not be filmed or photographed.
The Client is responsible for obtaining media releases from attendees, guests, vendors, performers, staff, minors, speakers, facilitators, and participants.
For ticketed, public, registered, or promoted events, the Client must include media consent language on ticketing pages, registration forms, RSVP forms, waiver forms, admission pages, and event communications.
Bennu Media Rights
Bennu may photograph, film, record, or document events for promotional, archival, educational, social media, and marketing purposes unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Guests who do not wish to be filmed must notify the event organizer and Bennu before entering media-active areas.
Bennu may restrict filming that misrepresents the property, violates privacy, disrupts operations, or creates reputational concerns.
Branding and Public Representation
The Client may not use Bennu’s name, logo, family names, images, property images, staff images, cultural symbols, or statements in promotional materials without written approval.
Any public description of the relationship between the Client and Bennu must be accurate and approved where required.
Bennu’s approval of a booking does not mean Bennu endorses all event content, speakers, vendors, beliefs, claims, products, services, political positions, health claims, religious claims, financial claims, or cultural claims.
Ticketing, Registration, Refunds, and Attendee Communication
The Client is responsible for ticketing, registration, attendee communication, attendee refunds, cancellation notices, waitlists, check-in, attendee disputes, and customer service.
The Client must not sell tickets, accept registrations, advertise confirmed venue access, or publicly announce Bennu as the event location until the booking is approved, deposit is paid, and agreement is signed unless Bennu approves otherwise.
The Client must include required venue notices, media waivers, liability waivers, food policy notices, parking instructions, accessibility notices, and safety information when required.
Noise, Music, and Amplified Sound
All sound must comply with law, venue rules, neighbor considerations, and permit requirements.
Amplified sound, DJs, bands, drumming, speakers, microphones, ceremonies, performances, sound baths, chanting, or other noise-producing activities must be approved in advance.
Bennu may require sound to be lowered, relocated, paused, or stopped at any time.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM unless a stricter rule applies.
Noise violations may result in fines, event termination, cancellation, forfeiture of deposits, or additional charges.
The Client is responsible for guest, vendor, and performer compliance with noise rules.
Permits, Licenses, and Legal Compliance
The Client is solely responsible for determining and obtaining all permits, licenses, approvals, certificates, inspections, and authorizations required for the event.
Bennu’s approval of an event does not mean permits are not required.
Failure to obtain required permits may result in cancellation, denial of access, event termination, fines, or liability.
Parking, Traffic, Transportation, and Access
Parking and traffic plans must be approved in advance.
The Client may be required to provide parking attendants, signage, shuttle plans, traffic control, rideshare instructions, neighbor notices, or offsite parking.
Vehicles may park only in approved areas and may not block driveways, emergency routes, neighboring properties, roads, gates, paths, or service areas.
Restrooms, Sanitation, Trash, and Cleaning
The Client must maintain clean, safe, sanitary conditions during and after the event.
Additional portable restrooms, handwashing stations, trash bins, recycling containers, cleanup staff, or sanitation services may be required based on event size and duration.
The Client is responsible for removing trash, food waste, décor, vendor materials, packaging, equipment, and personal property unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Utilities, Electricity, Internet, and Equipment
Electrical use, generators, extension cords, lighting, sound systems, heaters, cooking equipment, refrigeration, charging stations, vendor power needs, and production equipment must be disclosed and approved in advance.
The Client may not overload circuits, alter electrical systems, run unsafe cords, block access panels, use unapproved generators, or modify utilities.
Internet access is not guaranteed and may not support livestreaming, ticketing, production, or vendor needs.
Accessibility and Accommodation
The Client is responsible for communicating event conditions to attendees, including outdoor terrain, parking, stairs, grass, wooded areas, restrooms, weather exposure, uneven ground, and mobility considerations.
The Client must notify Bennu in advance of accessibility needs.
Bennu will make reasonable efforts to support access where feasible, but not all natural, outdoor, historic, or residential-style areas may be fully accessible.
Animals and Service Animals
No pets or animals are permitted unless approved in writing.
Service animals are permitted as required by law, but Bennu should be notified in advance when possible for planning.
Emotional support animals, therapy animals, ceremonial animals, farm animals, performance animals, and display animals require advance approval and may require insurance, handlers, sanitation plans, and permits.
Smoking, Drugs, Weapons, and Illegal Activity
Smoking, vaping, illegal drugs, firearms, weapons, fireworks, explosives, and illegal activity are prohibited unless a specific lawful exception is approved in writing.
Bennu may immediately remove any person who violates this policy.
The Client is responsible for all resulting damages, fines, injuries, legal claims, or cancellations.
Emergency Planning and Incident Reporting
For larger or elevated-risk events, Bennu may require an emergency plan.
The emergency plan may include an onsite responsible person, emergency contacts, first aid plan, severe weather plan, evacuation plan, incident reporting process, medical emergency procedure, security plan, and crowd control plan.
Organizer must report injuries, property damage, safety incidents, police involvement, fire involvement, medical emergencies, guest removal, vendor issues, or other incidents to Bennu immediately.
Event Documentation Deadlines
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Bennu may require deadlines for the signed agreement, deposit, insurance certificate, vendor list, site plan, schedule, guest count, security deposit, permits, and final balance.
Failure to meet documentation deadlines may result in cancellation, denial of access, added fees, or modification of the event.
Bennu may set different deadlines based on event size, risk, staffing, permits, or operational needs.
Right to Remove, Stop, or Cancel
Bennu may refuse entry, remove individuals, stop activities, require changes, shut down vendors, terminate filming, end alcohol service, lower sound, close areas, cancel an event, or require guests to leave if safety, legality, property protection, guest conduct, vendor conduct, weather, crowd control, noise, policy compliance, or cultural respect requires it.
No refund is owed when access is denied or terminated due to Client, guest, vendor, attendee, or organizer violation.
The Client remains responsible for damages, cleaning, unpaid balances, and related costs.
Conduct Policy and Cancellation Terms
Bennu reserves the right to cancel any booking for violations of rules, unlawful behavior, unsafe conduct, or misrepresentation.
Bennu may remove guests or vendors who act unsafely, disrespectfully, unlawfully, or in violation of venue policies.
Bennu may charge for cleaning, property damage, lost time, overtime, staff time, lawn damage, missing items, or other losses.
Noise Control and Quiet Enjoyment Terms
Noise must remain at reasonable levels and must not disturb neighbors, other guests, staff, or the surrounding community.
Quiet Hours are 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM Eastern Time unless a stricter rule applies.
Noise violations may result in cancellation, fines, shutdown of sound equipment, removal from the property, or forfeiture of deposits.
Liability, Indemnity, and Risk Terms
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Bennu Center, its owners, staff, agents, and contractors from any claims, injuries, losses, or liabilities arising from your use of the property, including those involving guests, vendors, contractors, attendees, minors, food service, filming, parking, outdoor spaces, pond areas, or event activities.
Assumption of Risk
The Client, guests, vendors, attendees, participants, and all persons entering the property knowingly and voluntarily assume all risks connected with use of The Bennu Center.
Risks include slips, trips, falls, uneven ground, outdoor terrain, weather, insects, pond hazards, wildlife, food allergies, fitness injuries, vendor negligence, equipment failure, parking risks, fire risks, illness, lost property, crowd incidents, and risks inherent in events and outdoor property use.
The Client is responsible for warning guests, vendors, and attendees of risks and providing appropriate waivers, supervision, staffing, and safety controls.
Liability, Release, Hold Harmless, and Indemnification
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Client agrees to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Bennu, its owners, family members, directors, managers, employees, volunteers, contractors, representatives, agents, affiliates, heirs, successors, and assigns from claims arising from the Client’s use of the property, event, stay, guests, attendees, vendors, contractors, food, beverages, alcohol, media use, parking, permits, property damage, personal injury, illness, theft, misrepresentation, violation of these Terms, or violation of law.
This obligation survives the event, stay, booking, cancellation, and termination of the relationship.
The Client remains responsible for claims caused by guests, vendors, contractors, attendees, minors, participants, and representatives connected to the booking or event.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Bennu is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive, or economic damages.
This includes lost profits, lost ticket sales, lost sponsorships, travel expenses, vendor costs, marketing expenses, attendee refunds, reputational harm, business interruption, emotional distress, or other consequential losses.
Bennu’s maximum liability, if any, shall not exceed the amount actually paid by the Client to Bennu for the specific booking giving rise to the claim, excluding security deposits, third-party costs, taxes, and pass-through fees.
Damage, Cleaning, and Repair Charges
The Client is responsible for all damage, loss, cleaning, repair, replacement, restoration, or administrative costs caused by the Client, guests, attendees, vendors, contractors, employees, invitees, minors, or participants.
Charges may include building damage, grounds damage, lawn damage, landscaping damage, pond area damage, furniture damage, appliance damage, linen damage, décor damage, equipment damage, utility damage, excessive trash, food spills, smoke, odors, pest remediation, missing items, overtime, staff time, administrative fees, professional cleaning, legal costs, and collection costs.
Bennu may deduct charges from the security deposit and invoice the Client for any remaining balance.
Lost, Stolen, or Abandoned Property
Bennu is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or abandoned property belonging to guests, attendees, vendors, clients, contractors, performers, or participants.
Items left after an event or stay may be held, discarded, donated, or stored at Bennu’s discretion.
Storage, retrieval, shipping, labor, or disposal fees may apply.
Chargebacks, Collections, and Attorney Fees
The Client agrees not to initiate a chargeback for amounts properly charged without first providing written notice and a reasonable opportunity to resolve the dispute.
Improper chargebacks may result in administrative fees, collection costs, attorney fees, and cancellation.
The Client is responsible for collection costs, attorney fees, court costs, and administrative costs incurred to collect unpaid amounts or enforce the agreement, to the extent permitted by law.
Non-Disparagement and Reputation Protection
The Client agrees not to make false, misleading, defamatory, or harmful public statements about Bennu, its owners, staff, property, services, guests, or community.
This does not prevent truthful statements required by law.
This clause is intended to protect against false or harmful misrepresentation, not to silence legitimate legal rights.
Independent Contractor and No Partnership
Nothing in a booking, discount, sponsorship language, tour, promotion, event approval, invoice, or agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, agency relationship, fiduciary duty, co-producer relationship, or legal sponsorship relationship unless expressly agreed in writing.
The Client is solely responsible for its event, attendees, vendors, staff, ticketing, refunds, legal compliance, communications, and operations.
Bennu’s approval of property use does not make Bennu responsible for the organizer’s event business.
Privacy, Data, and Communications
Bennu may collect contact information, booking details, payment information, event information, guest information, communications, images, video, and other information necessary to provide services, manage bookings, communicate with clients, protect the property, comply with law, and promote the venue.
By Engaging, you consent to receiving communications related to inquiries, bookings, invoices, agreements, event planning, safety, payments, updates, marketing, and follow-up.
Bennu does not guarantee the security of information transmitted through third-party platforms, payment processors, ticketing platforms, email providers, social media platforms, or booking systems.
Intellectual Property
All website content, copy, images, videos, branding, logos, names, designs, materials, documents, policies, packages, and creative works of Bennu remain the property of Bennu or its licensors unless otherwise stated.
No content may be copied, republished, sold, modified, used for advertising, used for training, or used commercially without written permission.
Event organizers may not use Bennu images, logos, family names, cultural marks, or property images in a way that implies endorsement, sponsorship, partnership, ownership, or authorization beyond the approved event.
Legal Jurisdiction Terms for The Bennu Center
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
Any dispute arising from these Terms, the website, the property, a booking, an event, a short-term stay, payment, or use of Bennu shall be handled in the appropriate courts or dispute forum located in North Carolina unless otherwise agreed in writing.
The Client agrees to first attempt good-faith resolution by written notice before filing any claim unless emergency legal relief is necessary.
Terms Page Updates and Validity Notice
If any section of these Terms is found invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining sections remain in full force.
Failure by Bennu to enforce any provision does not waive the right to enforce that provision later.
Bennu may update these Terms at any time, and continued use of the website, property, services, venue, event space, or booking constitutes acceptance of the current version.
Contact
For questions, clarification, booking matters, event approval, insurance requirements, vendor approval, filming approval, or policy questions, contact us at www.BennuCenter.com or call us anytime.
By Engaging with The Bennu Center, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.