Event Terms & Conditions

Footwear Industry Immersion — 3 days on-site (October 7–9, 2026), meeting point in Braga, with factory visits in Felgueiras and São João da Madeira. Organized by Portugal Production, hosted by Nancy Oliveira. Maximum capacity: ~15 participants.

• Full price: €997 (one-time payment) or 2× €498.5.
• Shoe Squad early-bird (WhatsApp community): €597, exclusive to Sept 2–3, 48 hours.
• Bundle with sample/prototype: €947 (early-bird + sample development).
• Scholarships: 2 available, 1 with 100% of the program fee covered and 1 with 50% of the program fee covered — see Section 9 for full terms.

Included in the price:

• Local transport between the pickup point (Braga) and all visits, every day.
• Lunch and snacks during the 3 days.
• Access to the physical materials library.
• Personalized production roadmap.
• Post-immersion 1:1 session.
• Private WhatsApp group with Nancy and the team.

Not included:

• Travel to Portugal (recommended airport: Porto, OPO).
• Accommodation in Braga (the organization recommends the area near Hotel Ibis; a list of suggestions is shared in the WhatsApp group).
• Meals outside the program schedule.

• Pickup in Braga: 8:00 AM, every day.
• Return to Braga: between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
• Day 3: we recommend not booking a return flight before 10:00 PM, so there's no rush to leave the program.

• Comfortable clothing suited to a working factory environment (no high heels, no loose clothing near machines).
• Photography and video: allowed for participants' personal use; some areas may be off-limits to filming at a factory's request (e.g. proprietary processes) — the team will advise on-site.

During the Footwear Industry Immersion, participants will have access to factories, production facilities, and other working professional spaces.

All participants must follow the safety rules and instructions set by Portugal Production and by each location visited, including any restrictions on access to certain areas, machines, or equipment.

Portugal Production cannot be held liable for accidents, injuries, losses, or damages resulting from a participant's failure to follow safety rules, negligent behavior, or unauthorized use of equipment.

While not mandatory, Portugal Production recommends that each participant carry personal or travel insurance with accident coverage for the duration of the experience.

This clause applies without prejudice to any liability that, under applicable law, cannot be excluded or limited.

Throughout the 3 days, Portugal Production and its team (including any photographer/videographer assigned to the event) may take photographs and record video and audio of participants, activities, and the locations visited, for use in:

• Social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, etc.)
• The Portugal Production and Footwear Industry Immersion websites
• Testimonials and case studies
• Future marketing, advertising, and promotional materials, digital and print
• Internal training and future editions of the program

By taking part in the Immersion, each participant grants Portugal Production a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free right to use their image, voice, and likeness captured during the event for the purposes listed above, for an indefinite period, unless the participant opts out as described below.

Opt-out. Any participant may request, at any time — before, during, or after the event — that their image not be used or published. The request can be made directly to the Portugal Production team (in person, via WhatsApp, or by email) and will be honored across all future publications. Content already published before the request is made will be removed or edited within a reasonable timeframe, where feasible.

Personal use. Participants are welcome to use their own photos and videos from the Immersion for personal or brand purposes (including their own social media), and may tag or mention Portugal Production and the Footwear Industry Immersion, though this isn't required.

Factory and partner restrictions. Some areas may be off-limits to filming or photography at a factory's or partner's request (e.g. proprietary processes, safety zones) — the team will communicate this on-site. This applies to organization-produced content as well as participants' own photos and videos (see Section 4).

The refund window follows the standard policy of the purchase platform (New Zenler): participants may request cancellation of their enrollment up to 30 days after the purchase date, with a full refund of the amount paid.

Note for enrollments made close to the event: since the event takes place on October 7, enrollments made within the final month before that date will have a shorter effective refund window than 30 days, as any request must be submitted before the event begins.

After the refund window, the enrollment is non-refundable. It can, however, be transferred to another person, subject to prior notice and approval from Portugal Production — except scholarship spots, which are non-transferable (see Section 9).

Should Portugal Production cancel the event, participants will be entitled to a full refund of amounts paid or, if preferred, to transfer their enrollment to a new date.

Scholarship enrollments, since they don't involve payment of the regular participation fee, are not eligible for any refund.

Participation in the Footwear Industry Immersion is open to people aged 18 or older, interested in learning about and understanding the Portuguese footwear industry and its ecosystem.

Throughout the program, participants are expected to maintain a professional, respectful, and appropriate demeanor — with the Portugal Production team, fellow participants, and the companies, factories, suppliers, and professionals involved.

Participants must also follow the safety, confidentiality, photography, and access rules set by each company or location visited.

Portugal Production reserves the right to remove any participant from the program whose behavior is considered inappropriate, disrespectful, unsafe, or likely to disrupt the program, other participants, or the relationship with partners involved. In such cases, no refund will be issued.

Coverage. 2 scholarships are available for this edition: 1 scholarship covering 100% of the program fee and 1 scholarship covering 50% of the program fee. Travel to Portugal, accommodation in Braga, and meals outside the program schedule remain the recipient's responsibility (see Section 2).

For the 50% scholarship, the recipient is responsible for paying the remaining 50% of the program fee in accordance with the payment terms communicated upon selection.

Eligibility. Open to founders with a real, in-progress footwear (or related) brand project, subject to the same general eligibility rules as Section 8 (18 years or older).

Application. Applications are submitted through a dedicated form. Applicants are asked to explain why they should receive a scholarship and how they plan to use the opportunity to move their brand forward. Submitting an application does not guarantee a spot or a specific level of scholarship coverage.

Evaluation. Applications are reviewed personally by Nancy Oliveira and the Portugal Production team, based on the strength and clarity of the project described, its potential, and the applicant's genuine availability and commitment to attend all 3 days. Portugal Production determines, at its discretion, which selected applicant receives the 100% scholarship and which receives the 50% scholarship.

Confidentiality. Information shared in scholarship applications is used only for evaluation purposes and is not shared publicly or with third parties without the applicant's consent.

Recipients. Selected applicants are contacted personally and informed of the scholarship awarded to them (100% or 50%). Recipients are asked to confirm their spot promptly upon notification. For the 50% scholarship, confirmation of the spot may be subject to payment of the remaining 50% of the program fee within the deadline communicated. If a recipient is unable to confirm, does not complete the required payment where applicable, or later withdraws, the scholarship may be offered to another applicant at Portugal Production's discretion.

Non-recipients. Every applicant is contacted personally, regardless of outcome.

Application window. Applications for this edition are open September 4–11, 2026. Scholarship recipients are announced on September 14, 2026.

Non-transferable. Each scholarship is awarded to the specific person and project evaluated in the application — it cannot be given, sold, or transferred to someone else in case of withdrawal.

Refunds. No refund applies to the 100% scholarship, as no program fee is paid. For the 50% scholarship, any amount paid toward the remaining 50% of the program fee is subject to the standard cancellation and refund terms set out in Section 7.