Terms and Conditions
1. Eligibility
1.1. The “STARK Rising Stars Contest” (the “Contest”) is only open to interior designers that have established their business after 2018 (each a “Contestant” and together, collectively referred to herein as “Contestants”).
1.2. Contestants must own or be the proprietor of a legitimate, established business entity within the interior design industry.
1.3. Employees, agents, or affiliates of STARK or its subsidiaries are not eligible to participate.
1.4. Contestants must comply with all STARK policies and Contest rules as outlined herein.
1.5. This Contest is only intended for legal residents of the United States of America (“USA”) who are at least eighteen (18) years of age and shall only be construed and evaluated according to New York State law. Do not enter this Contest if you do not have residency in the USA or are otherwise ineligible to enter in accordance with these Terms and Conditions at the time of entry. Non-eligibility or non-compliance with any of these Terms and Conditions will result in disqualification.
2. Submission Requirements, Representations & Warranties
2.1. Contestants must submit a portfolio containing a minimum of three (3) projects showcasing their work. Contestants are required to submit a high-resolution headshot along with their project submissions.
2.2. By submitting their work, Contestants represent and warrant that:
a) Contestants affirm that they are either the sole and exclusive owners of all submitted materials, including, without limitation, any submitted photographs, images and artwork (including headshots) (collectively, the “Submitted Materials”) or have secured all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions from such owners to (i) use and submit the Submitted Materials for this Contest and (ii) grant STARK an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, distribute, and display the Submitted Materials in any medium or format, at STARK's sole discretion, including but not limited to marketing materials, advertising campaigns, social media platforms, and other promotional activities.
b) The Submitted Materials do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights, moral rights, privacy rights, or any other rights of any third party.
c) The submission does not contain any content that is defamatory, obscene, or otherwise in violation of any laws or regulations.
d) They have full right and authority to grant the rights and licenses outlined in these Terms and Conditions.
2.3. Contestants are required to provide contact information (including the name, address, phone number, and email address) of the photographer(s) that captured any photographs, images or artwork contained in Submitted Materials, along with any additional details requested by STARK. Contestants hereby represent and warrant that such information submitted is accurate and complete.
2.4. STARK reserves the right to reject or remove any submission that does not meet the Contest’s requirements or violates any applicable laws, without explanation or prior notice.
3. Selection of Winners and STARK’s Discretion
3.1. All submissions will be judged solely by STARK and STARK representatives (chosen by Stark in its sole and absolute discretion), and STARK retains full discretion and control in selecting the winners of the Prizes (each a “Winner” and collectively the “Winners”).
3.2. STARK reserves the right to disqualify any Contestant for any reason, including, without limitation, non-compliance with Contest rules, failure to meet program expectations, or any other reason determined by STARK at its sole and absolute discretion.
3.3. STARK reserves the right to modify the selection of Winners at its discretion and may rescind any awards or recognition if a Contestant is subsequently determined to be ineligible or found to be in violation of these Terms and Conditions.
3.4. STARK’s decisions regarding the Contest, selection of Winners, and potential disqualifications are final, binding, and not subject to appeal.
4. Prizes.
4.1. Winners may receive monetary awards, grants, or product credits (collectively, the “Prizes” and each individually referred to herein as a “Prize”), as set forth below:
National Rising Star Award: (Max 1 Winner) $25,000 design grant and $10,000 in STARK product credit.
Regional Rising Star Awards: (Max 6 Winners) $5,000 design grants and $2,500 in STARK product credit.
STARK Community Impact Award: (Max 1 Winner) $5,000.
5. Prize Conditions.
5.1. All prizes are subject to the Winners signing any agreements or documentation required by STARK, which may include, but shall not be limited to, agreements related to intellectual property rights, publicity rights, prize disbursement, confidentiality, waiver & release of claims, and taxes. Failure to sign any required agreements or complete (or provide) any required documentation within the timeframe set by STARK shall result in forfeiture of the Prize, and STARK may select an alternate Winner at its sole discretion.
5.2. Winners may be required to attend a meeting with a STARK showroom manager (or any other Stark employee(s) or representative(s)) for Contestants to be considered for selection, at STARK’s sole discretion. Failure to attend such meeting may result in disqualification.
5.3. Winners may be required to attend the STARK Rising Stars Award Ceremony in order to receive their prize. Failure to attend may result in disqualification.
5.4. Prizes are non-transferable and may not be substituted for cash unless expressly authorized by STARK.
5.5. Any taxes or legal obligations associated with the receipt of a prize are the sole responsibility of the Winner.
5.6. Winning any prize above is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth in this Terms and Conditions.
6. Notification and Acceptance.
6.1. Winners will be notified via email or phone (or any other method determined by STARK in its sole discretion) using the contact details provided in their submission. Winners will be chosen on or about November 1, 2025.
6.2. If a Winner does not respond within seven (7) days, STARK reserves the right to disqualify the Winner and select an alternate Contestant.
7. Rights and Usage
7.1. By entering the Contest, Contestants grant STARK and the Released Parties (as hereinafter defined) a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license (the “License”) to use, reproduce, publish, display, modify, adapt, distribute, the Submitted Materials, including, without limitation, any photographs, images and artwork (including headshots), in any medium or format chosen by STARK, including, but not limited to, marketing materials, advertising campaigns, social media platforms, websites, editorials, magazines, and other promotional activities. This license includes the right to modify, adapt, and create derivative works from all or any portion of the Submitted Materials as deemed appropriate by STARK, without further compensation or notification to the Contestants. Contestants affirm that they have obtained all necessary rights and permissions in connection with the submission of any and all Submitted Materials and that such submissions do not (nor does the License) infringe upon the rights of any third parties.
7.2. Contestants waive any right to inspect, approve, or receive compensation for STARK’s use of their submissions under the granted license.
7.3. Contestants acknowledge and agree that STARK has no obligation to use their submissions and may remove or discontinue use at any time.
8. How to Enter.
8.1. The Contest begins at 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on April 10, 2025, and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025 (“Contest Period”). The Contest Period may be shortened or lengthened by STARK at any time in its sole and absolute discretion. Entry to the Contest shall be through online entry via the following website: Stark Rising Stars Contest .
8.2. To be valid, each entry must provide all requested information. Any non-conforming entries will be declared invalid and disqualified for the Contest. The use of automated entry devices is prohibited, and no mechanically reproduced entries are allowed; all such entries are void. STARK is not responsible for late, incomplete, delayed, undelivered, or misdirected entries. All entries become the exclusive property of STARK and will not be acknowledged or returned except as provided herein. By participating, Contestants consent to STARK’s and its agents’ use of Contestant’s personal information for the administration of the Contest, or in any other manner consistent with STARK’s Privacy Policy, as set forth on its website: Privacy Policy.
9. Liability and Indemnification
9.1. By participating in the Contest, Contestants agree to release and hold harmless STARK and its affiliates, partners, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, distributors, sales representatives, and advertising and promotional agencies, including the officers, directors, agents, and employees of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of its participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any Prize, including, but not limited to: (i) any technical errors that may prevent a Contestant from submitting an entry; (ii) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (iii) printing errors; (iv) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; (v) injury, death, or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from Contestant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of any Prize, (vi) any and all claims of copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property infringement made by third parties related to their submission or STARK’s use of the Submitted Materials, including, without limitation, any photographs, images and artwork (including headshots) contained therein, for any purpose and (vii) any breach of these Terms and Conditions or Contest rules by Contestants, including representations regarding ownership and licensing of submissions and Submitted Materials therein. The Released Parties assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. Released Parties are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any email or entry to be received by STARK on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to Contestant's or any other person's computer relating to or resulting from participation in the Contest or downloading any materials in the Contest. Contestant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, if any, and in no event shall the Released Parties be liable for attorney fees. Contestant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, special, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.
9.2. IN NO EVENT WILL STARK OR ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST OR THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF, OR ANY HARM RESULTING FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF A PRIZE.
9.3. By participating, Contestants release and agree to hold harmless STARK and the Released Parties from any and all liability for any injuries, death or losses or damages to persons or property AS WELL AS CLAIMS/ACTIONS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, AND/OR INVASION OF PRIVACY that may arise from participating in this Contest or its related activities or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of, or any harm resulting from the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of a Prize. STARK and Released Parties are not liable in the event that any portion of the Contest is cancelled for any reason, including, without limitation, weather, fire, strike, acts of war or terrorism, pandemic, or any other condition beyond its control.
9.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if STARK is found liable for any damages related to the Contest, its total liability shall be limited to the amount, if any, awarded to the Contestant under this Contest or $500.00 (whichever is less).
9.5. EACH CONTEST UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ALL RIGHTS UNDER SECTION 1542 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF CALIFORNIA AND ANY SIMILAR LAW OF ANY STATE OR PROVINCE OR TERRITORY OF THE USA ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVED BY HIM/HER. SECTION 1542 READS AS FOLLOWS:
“CERTAIN CLAIMS NOT AFFECTED BY A GENERAL RELEASE. A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”
10. General Conditions
10.1. STARK reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Contest at any time, without prior notice, at its sole discretion.
10.2. STARK is not responsible for lost, misdirected, or incomplete submissions due to technical failures, human error, or other circumstances beyond its control.
10.3. Participation in the Contest constitutes Contestants’ full and unconditional agreement to these Terms and Conditions and STARK’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest.
10.4. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
11.1. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
11.2. Any disputes arising out of or related to this Contest shall be exclusively resolved through binding arbitration administered by The American Arbitration Association (or any other arbitration association chosen by Stark in its sole and absolute discretion) in New York, New York and Contestants waive their right to trial by jury. If arbitration is deemed unenforceable or if STARK elects to pursue litigation, any legal proceedings shall be brought exclusively in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or if federal jurisdiction is not available, in the state courts located in New York County, New York. Contestants irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts and waive any objections based on improper venue or inconvenient forum.
11.3. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST, EACH CONTESTANT KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OR THE CONTEST.
11.4 Contestants waive any right to participate in a class-action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration, and all claims must be brought on an individual basis.
12. Additional Conditions.
12.1. By accepting a Prize, the Prize Winner agrees to release and hold harmless the STARK and the Released Parties from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the Prize in question. The potential Winner must sign and return to STARK, within three (3) days of the date of notice or attempted notice is sent, an Affidavit of Eligibility, a License and Liability Release, and any other documents required by STARK in order to claim the Prize. The Winner may also be requested to complete an IRS W9 form. Note: The Affidavit sent to a USA potential Winner will require that the Winner provide their Social Security Number and or Entity Identification Number to STARK, which will be used solely for tax reporting purposes. The Winner will be responsible for all local, state, and federal taxes associated with the receipt of the Prize. The Winner must note that the value of the accepted Prize is taxable as income and an IRS Form 1099 will be filed in the name of the Winner for the value of the Prize. The Winner is solely responsible for all matters relating to the Prize after it is awarded. If a Prize or Prize notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable to the potential Winner, if a potential Winner cannot be reached or does not comply with notification instructions within twenty-four (24) hours from the first notification attempt, if a potential Winner fails to return requisite document(s) within the specified time period, or if a potential Winner is not in compliance with these Terms and Conditions, then such candidate shall be disqualified and, at STARK’s sole discretion, an alternate Winner may be selected.
12.2 By accepting a Prize, where permitted by law, the Winner grants to STARK and the Released Parties the right to print, publish, broadcast and use worldwide IN ALL MEDIA without limitation at any time their full name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness and/or biographical information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further payment or additional consideration, and without review, approval or notification. The Winner also acknowledges that STARK and the Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any Prize.
13. Miscellaneous.
13.1. If for any reason the operation or administration of the Contest is impaired or incapable of running as planned for any reason, including but not limited to (i) infection by computer virus, bugs, (ii) tampering, unauthorized intervention, (iii) fraud, (iv) technical failures, or (v) any other causes beyond the control of STARK which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, STARK reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest in whole or in part, at any time, without notice and award the Prizes using all non-suspect eligible entries received as of, or after (if applicable) this cancellation, termination, modification or suspension date, or in any manner that is fair and equitable and best conforms to the spirit of these Terms and Conditions. STARK reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual deemed to be tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or STARK’s website(s); or acting in violation of these Terms and Conditions or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.
13.2. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE; STARK RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
13.3. Failure by STARK to enforce any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
13.4. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Terms and Conditions or the rights and obligations of Contestants, and STARK in connection with the Contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other state’s, province’s, or jurisdiction’s laws. By participating in the Contest, Contestants agree that: (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Contest or any Prizes, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any judicial proceeding shall take place in a court within the State of New York, in New York County; (iii) any and all claims, judgments , and awards shall be limited to actual, out-of-pocket costs incurred in entering this Contest, but in no event will attorney fees be awarded or recoverable; (iv) under no circumstances will Contestants be permitted to obtain awards for, and Contestants hereby waives all rights to seek, punitive, incidental, exemplary, consequential, special damages, lost profits, other damages, and/or any rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased; and (v) Contestant’s remedies are limited to a claim for money damages (if any) and he/she/it waives any right to seek injunctive or equitable relief.
13.5. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Terms and Conditions will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. If any provision of the Terms and Conditions is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the other provisions will remain in effect and will be construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
13.6. These Terms and Conditions contain the full and complete understanding with respect to the Contest and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings, whether oral or written. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of these Terms and Conditions, and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. No amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless in writing and signed by stark. The waiver by STARK of any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of any other provision herein. The rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned by Contestant, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of STARK, and any attempted assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be null and void. These Terms and Conditions shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the permitted successors and assigns of STARK and Contestants.
13.7. SCAM ALERT - Protect yourself from scams. If you are selected as a potential Winner in one of our contests, an employee or representative of STARK will contact you via the phone number and/or the email address you provided to STARK on your electronic entry form. You will NEVER be asked to provide a credit card, bank information or a payment of any kind as a condition of a prize award. Those are sure signs of contest or promotion scams. We do NOT use social media to contact Winner of any contests. For a US Winner, prize winnings must be reported to the IRS when filing your tax returns, and any federal or state income taxes would need to be paid by you directly to the IRS. For more information, visit: Scams | Consumer Advice.