Refund Policy
1. Purpose
This policy sets out the Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) Chamber of Commerce's refund procedures for membership dues, event tickets, program fees, sponsorships, and vendor or tabling fees. It is intended to ensure consistent, transparent, and equitable treatment of members, event registrants, sponsors, and vendors.
2. Membership Refunds
2.1 7-Day Refund Window
Chamber memberships are refundable within 7 days of payment. If any member benefits or membership-related discounts are used prior to a requested refund, the refund amount will be adjusted to reflect non-member pricing for any such benefits or discounts used.
2.2 Exceptions
Outside of this 7-day window, dues are non-refundable. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of Chamber leadership or the Board of Directors in cases such as duplicate billing, billing error, or documented extenuating circumstances.
2.3 Payment Acknowledgment
Outside of the 7-day refund window described in Section 2.1, membership fees are not refundable. By making a payment for membership, members acknowledge that they have read and agree to this Refund Policy.
3. Event and Program Refunds
3.1 Event Tickets
Event tickets are non-refundable, and may not be resold. A ticket may be transferred to another individual up to 48 hours before the event upon notice to the Chamber.
3.2 Program Fees
Program fees, such as registration for a workshop or seminar, are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the program date. Within 48 hours of the program or gathering date, program fees are non-refundable. This does not include program fees for catered meal events. These events require advance per-capita guarantees to the catered meal providers, and require 7-days notice for cancellation and refunds.
3.3 Event Sponsorships
Event sponsorships are non-refundable once payment is received or after sponsorship benefits such as event marketing publicizing sponsors have commenced. If a sponsored event is cancelled by the Chamber, sponsorships will be rolled over to the rescheduled date or a comparable future event.
3.4 Vendor and Tabling Fees
Vendor booth or tabling fees are refundable according to the following schedule:
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Timing of Cancellation
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Refund
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15 or more days prior to the event
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100% refundable
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6–14 days prior to the event
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50% refundable
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Within 5 days of the event
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Non-refundable
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3.5 Chamber-Cancelled Events
The Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to cancel a program/event due to low attendance, inclement weather or other circumstances which would make the program/event non-viable including, but not limited to, nature, acts of war, governmental emergency, labor strike, or destruction of facilities. If an event is cancelled by decision of the Chamber, vendors and ticket holders will be given the option to transfer their fees or tickets to any rescheduled date, or to receive a full refund. Sponsorships will be rolled over to the rescheduled date or a comparable future event.
3.6 General Cancellation and Refund Terms
- Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be eligible for a refund.
- Refunds will not be available for registrants who choose not to attend an event.
- Cancellations will be accepted via phone or e-mail, and must be received by the stated cancellation deadline.
- All refund requests must be made by the registered attendee or credit card holder.
- Refunds will be credited back to the original credit card used for payment.
3.7 Exceptions
Chamber leadership and the Board of Directors retain the right to grant exceptions to this section based on documented extenuating circumstances.
4. Administration
Chamber Staff are responsible for day-to-day administration of this policy. Questions of interpretation or requests for exceptions not otherwise addressed in this policy are referred to the Board of Directors.
5. Policy Review
This policy is reviewed by the Board of Directors on an annual basis, or as needed, to ensure it continues to reflect the Chamber's practices.
