General Terms and Conditions
for ALBA 2026 Events

§1 Scope

1. These General Terms and Conditions (GTC), accepted by both contracting parties, apply to all business relationships between Eckhard Karden Consulting, Klara-Fey-Str. 18, 52066 Aachen, Germany, 0179/4829133, info@alba-workshop.info (hereinafter referred to as the "Provider") and the participants (hereinafter referred to as the "Participants"), unless otherwise agreed in writing between the contracting parties.
2. The Provider offers various services in the form of events in the field of battery technology and application for 12 V and 24 V systems in motor vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "Event").
3. The subject matter of the services is the provision of an agreed service (service contract) and not the achievement of a specific result (no contract for work). The commissioned services shall be deemed to have been rendered once the necessary services have been performed and any questions that may arise have been dealt with. The participant undertakes, in their own interest, to provide all relevant information truthfully and completely.
4. These General Terms and Conditions apply exclusively to companies in accordance with § 14 BGB (German Civil Code) and not to consumers in accordance with § 13 BGB.
5. Any deviating, conflicting, or supplementary terms and conditions of the participants shall not become part of the contract unless their validity is expressly agreed to in writing.
6. In the case of contracts that fall within the scope of the “Fernunterrichtsschutzgesetz” (FernUSG), the statutory provisions of the FernUSG shall take precedence.

§2 Content of the event

1. The "Workshop ALBA 2026" event and all future events are offered for booking on the Converia online platform.
2. The event comprises several components that are coordinated with each other and enable participants to receive comprehensive training.
3. From January to May 2026, moderated online working groups will be offered to Participants with advance registration. These working groups offer the opportunity for intensive professional discussion and collaboration in a virtual space.
4. In April and May 2026, three 90-minute webinars will take place. These webinars will be conducted as live sessions and will subsequently be available for streaming on Vimeo with password protection. These webinars are accessible to all Participants and offer specialist presentations and discussions on relevant topics.
5. Speakers Day will take place on May 18, 2026, and will be exclusively accessible to Participants with advance registration. On this day, renowned experts will give short presentations, and the results of the moderated online working groups will be evaluated together.
6. On May 19 and 20, 2026, a live workshop will be offered for all Participants. This workshop will include short presentations, group work, and discussion sessions that will deepen and apply the content of the previous webinars and working groups.
7. On May 21, 2026, optional additional events will be offered, giving Participants the opportunity to further deepen their knowledge and explore additional topics.
8. Participation in the various components of the events is subject to compliance with the respective admission requirements and registration processes, which are described in detail on the Converia online platform.
9. The Provider reserves the right to make changes to the program and individual components in order to ensure the smooth running and quality of the event.
10. A detailed description of the individual events as well as the current dates and prices are available on the Provider's website and in the respective information materials.

§3 Offers and conclusion of contract

1. The presentation of the events on the website does not constitute a legally binding offer, but rather an invitation to make a booking.
2. Participants can book an event via the Converia booking platform. The respective booking conditions of the platform apply.
3. The Provider accepts this booking by issuing a booking confirmation. Participants can find the prices on the Provider's website or in the respective offer.
4. In any case, the contract is only concluded when the Provider confirms the Participant's booking. The Participant's booking is binding. The Participant will receive an invoice with the booking confirmation by email.
5. The Provider is entitled to reject a contract without giving reasons if the necessary relationship of trust cannot be expected, if the Provider cannot or is not allowed to perform due to their specialization or for legal reasons, or if there are reasons that could cause them a conflict of conscience. In this case, the Provider's fee claims for the services rendered up to the rejection of the consultation remains valid.

§4 Registration

1. Registration for events is done exclusively via the Converia online platform. Participants must register within the specified deadlines to secure their place at the event.
2. Registration can be made at a reduced price as advance registration up to a specified date. Participants with advanced registration have access to exclusive program components and play a major role in shaping the main workshop with their contributions. Late registrations only entitle Participants to the specified parts of the event.
3. The deadlines for registration at specific prices are set by the Provider and announced to Participants in good time. It is the responsibility of Participants to register within these deadlines.
4. When registering, Participants are required to provide all necessary information truthfully and completely. The Provider reserves the right to reject or cancel registrations if the information provided is incomplete or incorrect.
5. Registration is binding.
6. The Provider reserves the right to limit the number of participants. Registrations will be considered in the order in which they are received. If the maximum number of participants is reached, notification will be posted on the platform, and no further registrations will be accepted.
7. Participants are offered optional quotes of conveniently located hotel rooms via the registration platform. Participants are free to book these within the limits of available capacity.
8. Participants who have successfully registered will receive confirmation of their registration and all necessary information about the event via the platform. This confirmation is essential for participation in the event.
9. The conference documents will be provided both in electronic form as a PDF archive and in printed form at the conference venue. The majority of the documents will be submitted by Participants with advanced registration. Therefore, the completeness of the materials provided in advance and printed depends on the timely submission of contributions by these Participants. Participants are requested to submit their contributions on time to ensure that the documents are provided in full.
10. The Provider reserves the right to change the conditions for registration at any time. Participants will be notified of any changes in good time.

§5 Content and implementation of the events

1. The Provider provides its services to the Participants by applying its knowledge and skills in the above-mentioned areas.
2. The subjectively expected success of the Participant cannot be promised or guaranteed. The successful implementation of the processes and the achievement of certain results is the sole responsibility of the Participant. The Provider merely accompanies the Participant during implementation.
3. Individual areas may be carried out by third-party service providers.
4. Participants undertake to use the information materials, reports, and analyses created by the Provider within the scope of the events solely for their own purposes. Participants receive the exclusive and non-transferable right of use to these materials. All documents are either personal and cannot be used by third parties or have been created individually for the Participants by the Provider.
5. All of the Provider's documents are protected by copyright. This applies to both content on the Provider's website and other documents. Participants are not entitled to reproduce, distribute, or publicly reproduce such documents. Participants are also not entitled to make image, film, or sound recordings of the events without the express permission of the Provider. Participants receive a non-transferable, non-exclusive right to use the materials provided during the training courses.
6. The events are based on cooperation and mutual trust. Participants are not obliged to accept the advice or implement the recommendations given. Participants acknowledge that all steps and measures taken by them within the framework of the events are their own responsibility.
7. The Provider is entitled to cancel the events if the Provider or a third-party service provider engaged by the Provider is prevented from holding the events on the agreed date through no fault of their own, e.g., due to riots, strikes, lockouts, natural disasters, severe weather, traffic disruptions, or illness. In this case, Participants shall not be entitled to claim damages.
8. In the event of cancellation by the Provider, the Provider shall offer the Participant an alternative date. If no agreement can be reached on an alternative date, the Participant shall be reimbursed for the fee already paid. The reimbursement shall only cover the amount actually received by the Provider, i.e. minus the costs and fees incurred for the payment method chosen by the Participant.
9. The illustration and description of the events and any event location on the Provider's website are for illustrative purposes only and are approximate. No guarantee is given for complete compliance.
10. The Provider is entitled to make adjustments to the content or schedule of the events for technical reasons, for example if there is a need to update or further develop the event content, provided that this does not result in a significant change to the event content and the change is reasonable for the Participant.
11. The Provider is entitled to change the location and time of the announced events, provided that the Participant is notified of the change in good time and it is reasonable for them.
12. Participants are responsible for providing a correct email address and for checking their emails regularly.
13. The Provider is entitled to have its services performed by subcontractors and third parties at any time. It does not require the Participant's consent for this.

§6 Payment

1. When registering, Participants can make payment either by credit card or by invoice. Both payment methods are processed by the Converia platform.
2. Payment must be made to the Provider using the specified payment methods on the agreed due date without deduction.
3. If the Participant is in default of payment, the Provider is entitled to charge reminder fees and default interest at the legally permissible rate. The Participant will be informed in good time about the default of payment and the fees incurred.
4. A refund of the participation fees is only possible under the conditions and within the deadlines specified in the cancellation policy for the event.
5. All prices in the Provider's offer are listed as net prices, unless otherwise stated.
6. The Provider reserves the right to adjust the terms of payment for future bookings and to inform the Participant of such changes in good time. However, changes to the terms of payment do not apply retroactively to bookings that have already been made.

§7 Cancellation

1. Participants have the right to cancel their registration for an event under certain conditions. The cancellation must be made in good time and in writing or by email to the Provider in order to be effective. The date of receipt of the cancellation by the Provider is decisive for compliance with the cancellation deadlines.
2. Participants have the option to cancel all booked services for the "Workshop ALBA 2026" event until May 14, 2026.
3. If advance registration is canceled, a partial refund of EUR 799 will be made if virtual workstreams have already begun. The remaining amount of the original registration fee will not be refunded.
4. If Participants cancel the late registration and booked hotel rooms, they will receive a full refund of the amount paid. The refund covers the entire amount of the late registration and the costs of the hotel bookings.
5. A one-time processing fee of EUR 49 will be deducted from each refund. This processing fee will be charged only once, regardless of the number of services canceled.
6. The refund will be made using the payment method chosen by the Participant during registration. The Provider will arrange the refund within 14 days of confirming the cancellation.
7. Cancellations received after May 14, 2026, are non-refundable. The Participant is not entitled to a refund of the amounts paid.
8. The Provider reserves the right to change the cancellation policy and refund regulations at any time. Participants will be notified of any changes in good time.
9. The Provider reserves the right to deviate from the above cancellation policy in special cases at its own discretion.

§8 Term

1. The term of the contract begins with the Participant's successful registration for the "Workshop ALBA 2026" event via the Converia online platform and ends with the conclusion of the event.
2. The contract covers all booked services, including participation in the event, the virtual workstreams, and, if applicable, booked hotel rooms and other additional services.
3. The "Workshop ALBA 2026" event will take place from May 19 to 20, 2026. Virtual workstreams will begin in January 2026. Webinars will take place approximately two weeks before the event and will be available for streaming until at least the end of May. Speakers' Day will take place on May 18, 2026. The exact duration and schedule of the event will be communicated to the Participants during registration and via the Converia platform.
4. The contract ends automatically at the end of the event without the need for separate termination. Early termination of the contract by the Participant is only possible by timely cancellation in accordance with the cancellation policy.
5. The Provider reserves the right to change the duration of the event for important reasons. Participants will be notified of such changes in good time. In the event of a significant change in duration, participants have the right to terminate the contract and demand a full refund of the amounts paid.
6. The Provider is entitled to terminate the contract prematurely if the Participant violates essential contractual obligations or if the event has to be canceled for reasons of force majeure. In these cases, the participation fees will be refunded in accordance with the cancellation and refund conditions.
7. The Provider reserves the right to change the terms and conditions and the term of the contract at any time. Participants will be notified of any changes in good time.
8. The right to extraordinary termination for good cause remains unaffected. Good cause shall be deemed to exist in particular if:
   1. The Provider does not perform its contractual services or performs them inadequately and does not remedy the situation within a reasonable period of time even after a written warning from the Participant;
   2. the Participant is in default of payment of the agreed remuneration despite two reminders and the setting of a reasonable grace period;
   3. the Participant repeatedly violates the house rules or the instructions of the Provider or trainer and thereby significantly disrupts the proper course of the training.
9. Notices of termination must be made in writing and addressed to the other party to the contract. The date of receipt of the notice of termination by the other party to the contract shall be decisive for the timeliness of the termination.

§9 Warranty

1. The Provider shall endeavor to perform all activities with the utmost care and in accordance with recognized scientific findings and principles. All recommendations and analyses are made to the best of the Provider's knowledge and belief.
2. The Provider does not guarantee the effectiveness of its recommendations. The success of the services is largely beyond its control and depends significantly on the cooperation of the Participants, which is why it cannot be guaranteed.
3. The advice is intended to help Participants help themselves. Despite the utmost care, no guarantee can be given for the accuracy and completeness of the information.

§10 Liability

1. The Provider shall be liable in cases of intent or gross negligence in accordance with the statutory provisions. Liability for guarantees shall be independent of the degree of fault. In cases of slight negligence, the Provider shall be liable exclusively in accordance with the provisions of the Product Liability Act, for injury to life, limb, or health, or for breach of essential contractual obligations. However, claims for damages for the slightly negligent breach of essential contractual obligations are limited to the foreseeable damage typical of this type of contract, unless there is unlimited liability due to injury to life, limb, or health or in accordance with the provisions of the Product Liability Act. Any further liability for damages is excluded. The liability under the preceding paragraph (1) also applies to breaches of duty by the Provider's vicarious agents.
2. Essential contractual obligations are those whose fulfillment is essential for the proper execution of the contract and on whose compliance the contractual partner may regularly rely. This includes, in particular, the Provider's obligation to perform the contractually agreed services.
3. In addition to paragraphs (1) and (2), claims for damages due to slight negligence are excluded, unless they relate to essential contractual obligations, damage resulting from injury to life, limb, or health, or guarantees, or claims under the Product Liability Act are affected.
4. In the event of data loss, the Provider shall only be liable for damage that would also have occurred if the Participant had carried out proper and regular data backups commensurate with the risk.
5. The above exclusions and limitations of liability also apply to the personal liability of the Provider's employees, representatives, and vicarious agents.
6. The Provider accepts no liability for damage caused by improper handling or disregard of the organizer's instructions by the Participant. The Participant is expressly advised that participation in the events is at their own risk and that the Provider accepts no liability for health risks that may arise for the Participant as a result of participating in the events.
7. The Provider is not liable for the loss or damage of the Participant's personal belongings at face-to-face events, unless the loss or damage is due to gross negligence or intent on the part of the Provider. Participants are asked not to leave valuables unattended.
8. The Participant is solely responsible for the costs, availability, and security of the data connection for the internet services and equipment required to use the online events.

§11 Confidentiality and compliance

1. No confidential information will be shared during the entire ALBA 2026 event series. If Participants share their own documents, they shall ensure that these are not marked as confidential and do not contain any confidential information.
2. Participants are obliged to comply with all applicable compliance rules and legal provisions, including regulations on the protection of trade secrets and competition law. In particular, Participants undertake not to exchange any information or materials that violate antitrust laws or other competition regulations.
3. The Provider reserves the right to exclude Participants who violate the confidentiality or compliance rules from the event and to take legal action. In the event of exclusion due to a violation of this clause, the participation fees will not be refunded.
4. Participants are required to take all measures to maintain the confidentiality of the information, including the secure storage of written or electronic documents and avoiding discussions about confidential information in public areas.
5. These confidentiality and compliance obligations shall remain in force even after the termination of the contract and the event, as long as the confidential information has not been made publicly available elsewhere or the Provider has confirmed its release in writing.

§12 Data protection

• Participants expressly consent to the electronic processing of their personal data within the scope of the following provisions. Customer data will be treated as strictly confidential. The data provided by Participants will be used exclusively for the professional performance of the service. The data will not be passed on to third parties.
• The Participant agrees that the provider may process and store the data necessary for the provision of the services. Data will only be passed on to third parties with the express consent of the Participant or on the basis of legal obligations.
• The Provider's separate data protection provisions apply, which can be found at the following link: https://booking.alba-workshop.info/frontend/index.php?page_id=51929

§13 Final provisions

1. The Provider is not willing or obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.
2. Should individually provisions of these General Terms and Conditions be or become invalid or void, this shall not affect the validity of the General Terms and Conditions as a whole. Rather, the invalid or void provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that comes closest to the contractual purpose or the intention of the parties.
3. The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies. The contract language is German.
4. Amendments and additions to the General Terms and Conditions must be made in writing to be effective. There are no verbal side agreements.
5. If the Participant is a merchant or a company, the place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from the contractual relationship is the registered office of the provider. Otherwise, the statutory provisions apply.