Force Majeure—The Legal Safety Net Every Coach, Speaker, and Retreat Host Needs

Picture this, you’ve spent months planning your dream retreat. You found the perfect location, carefully curated an exciting itinerary, and marketed it to the right audience. Every detail has been locked in—the venue is booked, the guest speakers are confirmed, and your attendees have paid in full. You’re excited and ready to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Then, disaster strikes.

A hurricane forces your venue to shut down. A government restriction bans non-essential travel. A global health crisis leaves half your attendees unable to fly in. You scramble for solutions, but reality hits—this event isn’t happening.

Now, you’re drowning in emails from attendees demanding refunds. The venue won’t budge on its cancellation policy, and your speakers still expect their fee. You stand to lose thousands of dollars, your reputation is at risk, and the stress is overwhelming.

This is where a force majeure clause could have saved you. Don't let this be you!

Most small business owners—especially coaches, speakers, and retreat organizers—don’t think about legal protection until it’s too late. But a well-crafted contract can mean the difference between weathering the storm and financial ruin. Let’s break down why you need a force majeure clause in every contract you sign.

"Force majeure is not about excusing performance; it’s about allocating risk when the unexpected occurs."

What Is a Force Majeure Clause?

The term force majeure is French for “superior force.” In legal terms, it refers to unforeseen, uncontrollable events that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract. A force majeure clause is a provision in your contract that releases both parties from liability when extraordinary events—like natural disasters, government shutdowns, or pandemics—make it impossible to move forward.

In simple terms, this clause protects you from being sued, forced to refund payments, or absorbing huge financial losses when life throws the unexpected your way.

Without it? You could still be held responsible for delivering services, paying vendors, and refunding customers—even if the situation is completely out of your hands.

 

When Should You Use a Force Majeure Clause?

If you’re thinking, “I don’t need this, things like that don’t happen to me,” let’s reconsider.

FOR RETREAT AGREEMENTS:

• Natural disasters – Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, or floods that make travel impossible.
• Government-imposed travel bans – Restrictions that prevent attendees from reaching the destination.
• Political instability or civil unrest – Unexpected violence or protests that make an area unsafe.
• Venue/vendor failures – A venue shutting down suddenly, or a vendor going out of business.
• Health Outbreaks –Sudden epidemics or pandemics can put a halt on that weekend getaway in general.

FOR SPEAKING AGREEMENTS:

• Event cancellations – The organizer calls off the event for reasons beyond your control.
• Venue issues – The event space floods, loses power, or shuts down unexpectedly.
• Travel disruptions – Flights are canceled due to extreme weather or airline strikes.
• Public health mandates – A health outbreak might lead to specific rules or prohibitions regarding social gatherings (remember our COVID-19 protocols??).

If you are a coach, speaker, or retreat host, you can’t afford to assume things will always go as planned. A force majeure clause ensures you aren’t financially punished for circumstances outside your control.

 

The Benefits of Having a Force Majeure Clause

Adding a well-written force majeure clause to your contracts isn’t just about legal protection—it’s about business security and peace of mind.

1. Financial Protection

Without this clause, you may have to refund every dollar paid by attendees—even if you’ve already spent that money on vendors, deposits, and marketing. A force majeure clause helps clarify how cancellations are handled so you’re not left footing the bill.

2. Legal Safeguard

Without a force majeure clause, you could be held responsible for breaching a contract, even if it’s physically impossible to deliver your services. This clause helps protect you from legal claims.

3. Clear Expectations for Everyone

A properly worded force majeure clause reduces disputes by setting clear guidelines for handling cancellations. Your clients, vendors, and event partners will know what to expect, minimizing confusion and conflict.

4. Business Stability

Unexpected cancellations can cripple a business if they aren’t planned for. By having strong contracts in place, you ensure your business remains financially and operationally secure—even in the face of adversity.

 

The Risks of NOT Having a Force Majeure Clause

Here’s what could happen if you don’t have this critical clause in your contracts:

• You may be forced to refund thousands of dollars to attendees and clients, even if the cancellation was completely out of your control.
• Your venue and vendors may still demand payment, leaving you with huge financial losses.
• You could face lawsuits from clients, vendors, or partners who expect you to honor contracts.
• Your reputation could take a hit, making future bookings harder to secure.

Many small business owners learn this lesson the hard way. But you don’t have to be one of them.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Force Majeure Clauses

Having a force majeure clause is essential—but it needs to be written correctly to be effective. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Using Vague or Generic Language

A weak clause that only says “acts of God” is not enough. Your contract should list specific force majeure events like pandemics, travel bans, government orders, and natural disasters.

2. Failing to Address Refunds and Rescheduling

What happens if an event gets canceled? Will attendees get full refunds, partial refunds, or credit toward a future event? Spell it out clearly to avoid disputes.

3. Leaving the Decision Open-Ended

Who determines whether an event qualifies as force majeure? Your contract should define the process for invoking this clause, so there’s no room for interpretation.

4. Forgetting to Include It in EVERY Agreement

Don’t assume only retreats need this protection. Every speaking contract, retreat agreement, and vendor contract should have a well-defined force majeure clause.

 

Protect Your Business—Get a Lawyer-Crafted Agreement Today

The truth is, you can’t always predict what will happen—but you can protect yourself from the financial and legal consequences of unexpected events.

If you’re a coach, speaker, or retreat organizer, you need contracts that protect your business so you can focus on what you do best.  That’s why having a lawyer-drafted Speaking Agreement Template and a Retreat Agreement Template is one of the best investments you can make in your business.

A force majeure clause might not seem important now, but when disaster strikes, it can save your business from major losses, lawsuits, and reputation damage. Don’t take the risk—secure your legal protection today.