Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Uplift Tri-State Gulf Coast USA website (the "Site"), or by registering, applying, voting, or competing, you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Site or our services.

2. Eligibility

To compete in Uplift Tri-State Gulf Coast USA, you must:

• Be a resident of Florida, Alabama, or Mississippi
• Be the age corresponding to one of our age divisions (0–11 months through 80–100+)
• If a minor, apply with verifiable parental or legal guardian consent
• Comply with our Master Rulebook and Code of Conduct

To vote or use the Site as a non-contestant, you must be 13 years of age or older (with a parent or guardian's involvement if under 18) or comply with COPPA-required parental consent.

3. Application and Entry

Completing an application does not guarantee acceptance. Applications are reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and adherence to our rules. We reserve the right to decline any application at our discretion.

4. Fees and Payment

Some Uplift activities involve fees, including:

• Vote purchases: Community voting involves paid votes (and a free equal-weight alternative). Each vote purchase confirms a number of votes cast for a contestant in one of the two vote-eligible categories: Main Title, which is voted at the Directional and County levels, or People's Choice, which is voted at all four levels through the Tri-State Finals. Open Titles are not separately voted; they are derived from Main Title results among each title's entrants. No other awards accept votes.
• Add-on entries: Eight optional paid add-on categories are $25 each, with unlimited entries permitted. Eight additional awards, including People's Choice, are free and carry no entry fee.
• Advancement fees: Some advancement levels involve entry fees; many fees are reduced or waived for top placers. See the Master Rulebook for full details.

All fees are processed via secure third-party payment providers. By submitting payment, you authorize us to charge the payment method you provide.

For refund eligibility and procedures, see our Refund Policy.

5. Voting

The Uplift Pageant uses a hybrid scoring model that varies by level:

• Directional level: 100% paid community voting
• County level: 75% paid community voting + 25% judges' scoring
• State and Tri-State Finals: In-person live events scored by judges only

A free voting option (Alternate Method of Entry, or AMOE) is available throughout the voting window. No purchase is necessary to vote. See our Sweepstakes / AMOE Rules for full details.

Votes are final. Vote totals are subject to audit, fraud detection, and potential invalidation. We reserve the right to invalidate votes obtained through fraud, automation, payment fraud, or other policy violations.

6. The Uplift Closet Challenge

The Uplift Closet Challenge is a free, parallel competition track. Participation does not require entry into the main pageant. Items collected are scored by weight (pounds) with item count as a tiebreaker. Items collected may be used to build future Uplift Closet inventory, support future contestants, support future Uplift initiatives, be donated to nonprofit partners, or transition into future programs. See the Master Rulebook for full Closet Challenge rules.

7. Content You Submit

By submitting photos, videos, biographical content, or other materials ("Content"), you represent and warrant that:

• You own or have full rights to the Content you submit
• The Content does not violate the privacy, publicity, or intellectual property rights of any third party
• If the Content includes other identifiable people, you have obtained their permission
• If the Content includes a minor, you are that minor's parent or legal guardian and you have signed our Photo & Likeness Release

You grant Gala Glitterati Group, LLC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, and publicly display your Content in connection with the Uplift Pageant, GGG events, marketing, publicity, archival, and broadcast purposes, in all media now known or later developed. This license survives termination of your participation.

8. Code of Conduct

All contestants, voters, parents, guardians, volunteers, judges, vendors, and audience members must abide by our Code of Conduct, which prohibits harassment, discrimination, threats, fraud, and any behavior that compromises the integrity or safety of Uplift events.

9. Disqualification and Removal

We reserve the right to disqualify any contestant, invalidate any votes, or remove any content for:

• Violations of these Terms, the Master Rulebook, or the Code of Conduct
• Submission of false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Payment fraud, chargebacks made in bad faith, or evidence of vote manipulation
• Conduct that brings public disrepute on Uplift, GGG, sponsors, or other contestants
• Failure to honor titleholder appearance commitments

Disqualification does not entitle the disqualified party to refunds of entry fees, vote payments, or add-on purchases.

10. Intellectual Property

The Uplift name, logo, "Community First. Crown Second." tagline, the Closet Challenge concept, division names, open title designations, and all Site content (excluding contestant-submitted Content) are the property of Gala Glitterati Group, LLC. You may not use these marks without written permission.

11. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

THE SITE AND ALL UPLIFT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GALA GLITTERATI GROUP, LLC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

IN NO EVENT SHALL GALA GLITTERATI GROUP, LLC, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR PARTICIPATION IN UPLIFT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING UNDER THESE TERMS SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL FEES YOU HAVE PAID TO US IN THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.

12. Live Event Risk and Release

Participation in live Uplift events (State Championships, Tri-State Finals, Styling Challenges, parades, sponsor appearances, etc.) involves inherent risks. Contestants and their parents/guardians (if applicable) acknowledge these risks and release Gala Glitterati Group, LLC, its employees, volunteers, venues, sponsors, and partners from liability for any injury, loss, or damage arising from event participation, except where caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Gala Glitterati Group, LLC, its officers, employees, affiliates, sponsors, and venues from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from your violation of these Terms, your submitted Content, your conduct at events, or your violation of any law or third-party right.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising under these Terms shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Bay County, Florida, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms periodically. When we do, we'll update the "Last updated" date at the top. Material changes will be communicated via email or a site banner. Continued use of the Site after changes constitutes acceptance.

16. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at info@galaglitteratigroup.com.