International Compliance Protocol
Upgrade is a Netherlands-based organization operating according to the limited Dutch legal principles and established standards. From this foundation, Upgrade facilitates an international community for people who meet for knowledge sharing and connection. The organization inevitably acts as an international platform.

To ensure the safety of our members and to strictly adhere to the local regulations of the countries we visit, Upgrade operates under a formal compliance protocol for all international club meetings.

Upgrade is a Dutch-based association. For all physical gatherings, we do not operate as an independent organizer in foreign jurisdictions. Instead, we strictly partner with locally registered venues (Hotels, Resorts, or Professional Business Centers) that hold the necessary licenses (MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) to host international groups.

We operate as an international platform connecting people across locations. It brings individuals together from different parts of the world and creates a shared space where people can meet, interact, and be part of the same experience, regardless of where they are based. This statement provides a clear overview of how Upgrade is structured in a simple and transparent way, how participation works, and what it means to be part of the platform. It also explains how responsibilities are shared, how expectations are aligned, and how people relate to one another within the platform. The intention is to create clarity and understanding while maintaining a consistent and inclusive approach within a global context.

Upgrade maintains a strict policy regarding the entry of its members into host countries:

Participating members are solely responsible for compliance with the local immigration laws of the destination country. Upgrade advises members to apply for the correct visa category (e.g., Business, Meeting, or MICE visas) rather than standard tourist visas. While Upgrade provides a Letter of Invitation through its local licensed partners to assist with visa applications, it does not act as a legal visa sponsor or travel agent.

Nature of Activities

All international meetings of Upgrade are private and for members only.

No commercial trade, local employment, or revenue-generating activities are conducted by the association or its board members during need events.

Fiscal Transparency
Upgrade is a Dutch-based entity and acts solely as an international community coordinator.

All local meetups are hosted by licensed venues, and Upgrade does not manage local legal compliance.

People should comply with all local laws and regulations. Joining dinners does not imply employment or local compensation.

Upgrade cannot be held liable for local regulatory matters.


Consumption Status

Upgrade hereby clarifies that no commercial transactions take place between Upgrade and participants during in-person gatherings. All participants independently settle their own food and beverage expenses directly with the hosting venue. Upgrade does not collect, process, or receive any payments in relation to these gatherings.

Invoices issued by the venue are addressed either to individual participants or to the venue operator itself, and never constitute a sales invoice from Upgrade to attendees. From a legal perspective, this structure confirms that Upgrade does not conduct local business activity or generate local turnover at the gathering location.

Platform Status

Upgrade operates as a Netherlands-based platform focused on knowledge sharing and community engagement.

All commercial exploitation, membership management, contractual relationships, financial administration, and governance of Upgrade are conducted exclusively in the Netherlands and are subject to Dutch law.

Upgrade maintains no branch office, permanent establishment, or local operating entity at the gathering location. Its role is strictly limited to platform facilitation. This status is publicly reflected in Upgrade’s Compliance Protocol, which states:
“Upgrade acts as a platform, not as a local executive abroad.”

Declaration of Non-Employment and Legal Status

Individuals representing Upgrade at in-person gatherings do not act as local employees, workers, or service providers under local labor law. Their presence is limited to international coordination and quality assurance of the community experience, and they attend solely as guests of the licensed venue. They are not employed by, paid by, or contractually engaged with any local entity. The hosting venue acts as the Legal Host of the gathering and holds the necessary registrations and licenses to facilitate hospitality services.

Supporting Documentation Available Upon Request

For transparency and compliance purposes, the following documentation can be presented:

• Access to Upgrade’s official Compliance Protocol

• Official registration extract of Upgrade as a legal entity

  
  

Closing Position

Upgrade maintains the position that all commercial, legal, and administrative activities are handled exclusively in the Netherlands. At in-person gatherings, Upgrade representatives and participants attend solely as guests of duly licensed venues, with all individuals paying for their own consumption directly.

Upgrade remains committed to full compliance with all applicable local laws and regulations.


UPGRADE - Formal Business Administration Dutch Company Details:

KVK-nummer/ Dutch Chamber of Commerce: 64152464

Vestigingsnummer/ Dutch Establishment number: 000033003130

VAT identification number: NL210792760B01

Dokter Bauerstraat 140

4205KE Gorinchem

The Netherlands

Tel.: +31 6 31593880