This Agreement outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both the Portal and the Member with respect to the use of the Portal’s Services. Please read this Agreement carefully before proceeding, as it governs your relationship with us and your use of the Platform. If you do not agree to these terms, you may not register as a member or access any of the Services provided by the Portal.

Portal Membership Agreement for Trusted Partners

This Membership Agreement (“Agreement”) is a binding legal contract entered into on the date of electronic acceptance (“Effective Date”) by and between The Holiday Mode FZ-LLC, a company registered in United Arab Emirates (“Portal,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), and the individual or entity completing the online registration process (“Member,” “you,” or “your”).

By clicking “I Agree,” or by otherwise accessing or using the Portal services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

1. Definitions

“Portal” refers to the online platform operated by The Holiday Mode under brand name Short Stay Circle, including all associated websites, applications, and services.

“Services” refers to the membership benefits and features provided by the Portal, including but not limited to, access to directories, events, workshops, and communication channels.

“Content” refers to any data, text, graphics, photos, or other materials submitted, posted, or displayed on the Portal by members.

“Short-Term Rental (STR) sector” refers to the segment of the accommodation and hospitality industry that involves the rental of furnished residential properties for short stays, typically ranging from one night to several weeks, rather than long-term leases.

2. Fees & Term

2.1 Founding Trusted Partner Membership Fee

The Founding Trusted Partner membership fee is AED 449 per month (the “Founding Rate”). This rate is available exclusively to members who sign up on or before 31 January 2026.

2.2 Founding Incentive Any member who joins on or before 31 December 2025 shall receive the month of December 2025 at no charge.

2.3 Commencement of Payments The first membership payment for all Founding Trusted Partners shall be due in January 2026, on a date to be confirmed by Portal in writing.

2.4 Membership Term All Founding Trusted Partner memberships are subject to a minimum commitment of twelve (12) consecutive months commencing from the first paid billing period.

2.5 Payment Options and Payment Failure

2.5.1 Payment Options

Members may elect one of the following payment methods:

1. a) Annual Payment – Payment of the full annual membership fee upfront, inclusive of one (1) complimentary month, resulting in eleven (11) paid months for a twelve (12) month membership term.
2. b) Monthly Payment – Payment on a rolling monthly subscription basis, billed monthly in advance, subject at all times to the minimum twelve (12) month commitment.

2.5.2 Payment Failure and Grace Period

In the event that any scheduled payment is unsuccessful, declined, or otherwise not received when due, Portal (or its designated administrator, SSC) shall make reasonable efforts to contact the member directly to identify and resolve the issue.

A grace period of seven (7) calendar days from the original due date shall apply to allow for payment resolution.

2.5.3 Consequences of Non-Payment

If payment remains outstanding following the expiration of the grace period, or earlier at Portal’s sole discretion, Portal reserves the right, without limitation or liability, to immediately remove or suspend the member from any or all of the following:

1. a) The Trusted Partner directory;
2. b) The member’s Portal listing and profile; and
3. c) Any individual member profiles associated with the Trusted Partner membership.

2.5.4 Reinstatement

Reinstatement of visibility, listings, or access following removal due to non-payment shall be entirely at Portal’s discretion and shall be conditional upon full settlement of all outstanding amounts.

2.5.5 No Waiver

The application of a grace period or any attempt to resolve payment failure shall not constitute a waiver of Portal’s rights under this Agreement, nor limit Portal’s right to enforce payment obligations or terminate membership in accordance with this Agreement.

2.6 No Guaranteed Outcomes

Membership with Portal and/or SSC is provided on a best-efforts basis. SSC does not guarantee any specific results, including but not limited to contracts, leads, referrals, revenue, or financial outcomes arising from membership.

The purpose of the Trusted Partner membership is to provide visibility, access, and connection within Portal’s ecosystem. All commercial outcomes remain solely dependent on the member’s own offerings, conduct, pricing, and engagement. SSC shall not be liable for any loss of opportunity, expectation, or anticipated benefit.

2.7 Eligibility

To qualify for and maintain a Founding Trusted Partner Membership, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

1. a) Hold a valid and current UAE business license, or alternatively provide legally recognized evidence of incorporation or establishment under applicable local or international laws, together with satisfactory evidence, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, that the entity is duly authorized, licensed, and legally permitted to conduct business and offer the relevant services or products in the applicable jurisdiction. Be actively operating and currently trading at the time of application and throughout the membership term; and
2. b) Offer products or services relevant to the short-term rental (STR), hospitality, or guest experience sectors, as determined by Portal in its reasonable discretion.

Portal reserves the right to request supporting documentation to verify eligibility and to suspend or terminate membership where eligibility requirements are no longer met.

3. Application, Vetting & Onboarding Process

3.1 Application Submission

All applicants seeking Trusted Partner membership must complete and submit Portal’s official application form, providing accurate, complete, and up-to-date information as reasonably requested by Portal.

3.2 Relevance Review Portal shall conduct an internal review to assess the applicant’s relevance, suitability, and alignment with Portal’s ecosystem, including but not limited to the applicant’s business model, sector relevance, and value to members. Portal reserves absolute discretion to determine eligibility at this stage.

3.3 Discovery Call / Interview Applicants may be required to participate in a discovery call or interview with a representative of Portal. Failure to attend, or to satisfactorily engage in, such call may result in rejection of the application without further obligation by Portal.

3.4 Reference and Verification Stage Portal may require applicants to provide references, supporting documentation, or other proof, including but not limited to business licences, client references, portfolios, or evidence of prior trading activity. Submission of false, misleading, or incomplete information shall constitute grounds for immediate rejection or termination.

3.5 Acceptance and Onboarding Acceptance into the Trusted Partner programme shall be confirmed solely at Portal’s discretion and communicated in writing. Upon acceptance, the applicant must complete Portal’s onboarding requirements, which may include profile setup, directory inclusion, code of conduct acknowledgment, and payment activation. Membership shall not be deemed active until onboarding is fully completed.

3.6 Annual Licence and Business Continuity Review Trusted Partners are required to undergo an annual review to verify the continued validity of their UAE business licence and ongoing business operations. Failure to provide requested documentation within the timeframe specified by Portal may result in suspension or termination of membership without refund.

3.7 Right to Refuse or Revoke Portal reserves the unrestricted right to refuse, suspend, or revoke Trusted Partner membership at any stage of the application or membership term where eligibility, compliance, or standards are not met, without liability or obligation to provide detailed justification. Portal may suspend or terminate if a member’s conduct brings the brand into disrepute.

3.8 No Exclusivity Trusted Partner membership does not confer any category, sector, or geographic exclusivity. Portal may admit multiple Trusted Partners operating in the same or similar categories without limitation. Exclusivity is granted only to Headline Sponsors, subject to separate written agreement and expressly stated terms.

4. Trusted Partner Benefits

4.1 Scope of Benefits

Subject to ongoing compliance with this Agreement and the member remaining in good standing, Trusted Partners shall be entitled to the benefits set out in this Article (the “Benefits”). Portal reserves the right to reasonably modify the delivery format of any Benefit without materially diminishing its intent.

4.2 Included Membership Benefits

Trusted Partners shall receive all benefits available to Individual Members, as may be amended from time to time, in addition to the following Trusted Partner–specific benefits:

1. a) Trusted Partner Listing – Inclusion and designation as a “Trusted Partner” within the Portal hub, directories, and relevant platform listings;
2. b) Event Access – Two (2) guaranteed seats at each Evening Connect event hosted by SSC;
3. c) Priority Access – Priority registration and access to all SSC-hosted events;
4. d) Discounted Tickets – Access to heavily discounted event tickets, subject to availability and event-specific terms;
5. e) Exclusive Activations – Invitations to partner-only activations and private events;
6. f) Private Communications – Access to a private Trusted Partner WhatsApp group;
7. g) Curated Introductions – Reasonable, discretionary introductions across SSC’s network where aligned with member relevance;
8. h) Post-Event Data – Access to post-event attendee lists for follow-up purposes, subject to applicable data protection and privacy laws;
9. i) Enhanced Visibility – Directory and Portal listings with enhanced visibility compared to standard members;
10. j) Content Features – Periodic features in SSC newsletters, digital communications, or updates, at SSC’s discretion;
11. k) Dual Membership Access – Access for two (2) named individuals per Trusted Partner membership, subject to nomination and approval by SSC;
12. l) Collaboration Opportunities – Eligibility to co-host, sponsor, or collaborate on workshops, panels, or events, subject to SSC approval and separate written agreement where applicable.

4.3 Exclusive Discounts Offering (Optional Add-On)

Trusted Partners may elect to offer promotional perks or discounts to other members via the “Exclusive Discounts” section for an additional fee of AED 50 per month.

Where the Trusted Partner elects to pay this add-on annually in advance, one (1) month shall be provided at no charge. All perks and discounts remain subject to SSC content guidelines and approval.

4.4 Founding Rate Protection

Trusted Partners admitted at the Founding Rate shall retain such rate for the duration of their active membership, provided that they remain in continuous good standing, maintain eligibility, and do not allow membership to lapse, terminate, or be suspended.

4.5 No Assignment or Transfer of Benefits

Benefits are non-transferable and may not be assigned, shared, or sublicensed outside the approved named individuals without SSC’s prior written consent.

4.6 Discretion and Limitations

All Benefits are provided on a best-efforts basis and are subject to availability, scheduling, and operational constraints. SSC retains sole discretion over the timing, format, and allocation of Benefits and shall not be liable where participation is limited due to capacity, compliance, or conduct considerations.

5. Member Obligations and Code of Conduct

Accurate Information: You agree to provide and maintain accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process and throughout your membership term.

Appropriate Use: You agree to use the Portal and its Services only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others or restrict or inhibit anyone else’s use and enjoyment of the Portal. You shall not upload or post any illegal, defamatory, or obscene Content.

Confidentiality: You agree to keep all Portal-related information confidential and not to share it with non-members without our prior written consent.

Intellectual Property: You acknowledge that all intellectual property rights in and to the Portal and its Services belong to Portal and/or its third-party licensors. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Services for your personal and business purposes as a member. You retain ownership of your own Content, but grant Portal a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your Content within the Portal.

6. Reputation and Brand Protection

6.1 Brand Integrity

Members acknowledge that Trusted Partner status reflects directly on the reputation of Portal and SSC.

6.2 Conduct Affecting Reputation

Portal reserves the right to suspend or terminate membership where a Member engages in conduct, whether on or off the Platform, that in Portal’s reasonable judgment:

1. a) brings Portal, SSC, or its community into disrepute;
2. b) involves unethical, misleading, or deceptive business practices; or
3. c) materially undermines trust within the Portal ecosystem.

6.3 No Obligation to Provide Evidence

Portal shall not be required to disclose detailed reasoning, third-party complaints, or internal assessments when exercising its rights under this Article.

7. Data Privacy

Collection of Information: We collect and process personal information that you provide to us during registration and your use of the Portal. This information includes your name, contact details, and professional information.

Use of Information: We use this information to provide and improve the Services, manage your account, facilitate introductions and networking, and personalize your experience within the Portal. Your data will not be sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.

Data Security: We are committed to protecting your data. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss.

Your Rights: You have the right to access, correct, and request the deletion of your personal data. For any such requests, please contact us at [email protected]

8. Termination

8.1 Termination by Member

A Member may request termination of membership by providing written notice to Portal. Where a minimum twelve (12) month commitment applies, termination shall not take effect until the end of such commitment period, and all fees due for the remainder of the commitment term shall remain payable and non-refundable.

8.2 Termination by Portal

Portal may terminate this Agreement immediately, with or without notice, where the Member breaches this Agreement, fails to maintain eligibility, or where Portal determines that continued membership is no longer appropriate.

8.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, all access to the Portal and Services shall cease immediately. Any outstanding fees shall become immediately due and payable. Portal shall not be liable for any loss arising from termination.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Portal and its Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Portal shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data, or other intangible losses, resulting from your use of the Portal or its Services.

11. Amendments and Variations

Portal reserves the right to amend or update this Agreement from time to time. Members shall be notified of material changes. Continued access to or use of the Portal following such notification shall constitute acceptance of the revised Agreement.

12. Assignment

The Member may not assign, transfer, or novate this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Portal. Portal may assign this Agreement as part of a corporate restructure, merger, or asset transfer upon written notice.

13. Force Majeure

Portal shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, government restrictions, pandemics, strikes, technical failures, or event cancellations. No refunds shall be due where Services are disrupted due to such events.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of United Arab Emirates, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding arising under this Agreement will be brought exclusively in the courts located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

By subscribing for the membership on the Portal, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Short Stay Circle