ONA26 Hotel Stay Sweepstakes Official Rules

  1. No Purchase Necessary

    Registering for ONA26 is not necessary to enter or win. Registering for ONA26 will not improve your chance of winning.

  2. Eligibility

    The ONA26 Hotel Stay Sweepstakes is open to all natural persons who are legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia, who are at least 18 years old at time of entry. Void outside the USA, in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories and possessions. The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited by law.

    Employees, contractors, board members, and officers of the Online News Association (“Sponsor”), and their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, or household member), are not eligible to participate.

  3. Sponsorship

    The Sweepstakes sponsor is the Online News Association, located at 1111 North Capitol St. NE, Washington, DC, 20002, USA. Sponsor will conduct the Sweepstakes substantially as described in these Official Rules.

  4. Entry Period

    The Sweepstakes begins September 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time and ends on September 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (“Entry Period”).

  5. How to Enter

    During the Entry Period, you may enter in one of two ways:

    Limit one entry per person, regardless of method. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Entrants will not be added to any ONA mailing list in connection with this Sweepstakes.

  6. Limitations on Entries

    Limit one entry per person. No third-party entry or entry through any sweepstakes service is permitted. Multiple entries or false contact information will result in disqualification. Use of robotic or automated entry devices is prohibited.

  7. Grand Prize

    One (1) Grand Prize will be awarded: A five-night stay at the Hilton Chicago during ONA26 (stay must overlap with at least two nights between March 30 – April 1, 2026). Approximate retail value: $2,000.

    • Prize includes room and tax only.
    • Incidental charges, meals, and transportation are not included.
    • Prize must be used for the specified dates.
    • Prize is non-transferable except that winner may gift the stay to another person able to fulfill those dates. No cash equivalent.
    • If winner is unable to use the prize, they may notify ONA at support@journalists.org to forfeit.

  8. Drawing

    Winner will be selected in a random drawing conducted by Sponsor on or about September 22, 2025, using a randomized digital method. Winner will be notified by email on or about September 24, 2025. If winner does not respond within seven (7) days, or prize is returned undeliverable, an alternate winner will be drawn.

  9. Odds

    Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

  10. General Terms

    By entering, participants agree to abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who tampers with the entry process or violates the rules. Entrants release and hold harmless Sponsor, its affiliates, employees, board members, contractors, and agents from any liability arising from participation or acceptance of the prize.

  11. Winner’s Name

    To request the name of the winner or a copy of these Official Rules, send an email to support@journalists.org with the subject line: “Requesting Sweepstakes Winner Name.”

  12. Privacy

    Information collected will be used only for the purposes of Sweepstakes administration. Sponsor’s privacy policy is available at https://journalists.org/about/accountability/policies/privacy-policy/.