Mediation and Arbitration Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the performance, enforcement, breach, termination or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope of this Agreement to arbitrate, shall first be submitted to non-binding mediation and shall thereafter be determined by final binding arbitration, and not litigation, the agreed venue for mediation and arbitration being in Houston, Texas. The mediation process shall be administered by a mutually acceptable mediator selected in accordance with the Commercial Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). If any dispute remains unresolved between the parties after the mediation process has been completed, either party may then submit any such unresolved dispute to final and binding arbitration pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration rules of AAA, with all matters related to the enforceability of this arbitration agreement and any award rendered pursuant to this agreement to be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Section 1-16. The Arbitration Tribunal shall be formed of three (3) arbitrators each of which shall have at least five (5) years’ experience in hotel operation, management, ownership or leasing, one (1) to be appointed by each party and the third (3rd) to be appointed by the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration panel may require and facilitate such discovery as it shall determine is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the needs of the parties and the desirability of making discovery expeditious and cost-effective. The arbitration panel shall be empowered to subpoena non-party and party witnesses for deposition and hearing to the full extent provided under the AAA Rules and the Federal Arbitration Act (or the applicable state arbitration statute if the arbitration panel is appointed pursuant to a petition filed in state court). The arbitration panel may also direct the production of documents and other information and the advance identification of witnesses to be called and documents to be admitted. The arbitration panel may issue orders to protect the confidentiality of proprietary information, trade secrets and other sensitive information before it is required to be disclosed in discovery. In addition to monetary damages, or in lieu thereof, the arbitration panel shall have the power to grant all equitable relief (both by way of interim relief and as a part of its final award) as may be granted by any court in the state where the Hotel is located. Monetary damage liability shall be limited to actual damages; the parties hereby waive the right to claim and/or receive punitive damages or exemplary relief. The arbitration panel shall determine whether and to what extent any party is a prevailing party and shall award attorneys’ fees and expenses associated with the arbitration proceeding to the “prevailing party, if any. All proceedings shall be reported by a certified shorthand court reporter and written transcripts of the proceedings shall be prepared and made available to the parties. The fees of the arbitration panel, together with all costs and expenses incurred in conducting the arbitration (but excluding the parties’ respective attorney, witness and related costs and expenses) shall be borne by the party against whom the arbitral award is made and shall be a (the) component of the arbitral award. The arbitration shall take place in Orlando, Florida, and shall be conducted in the English language. The arbitration award shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto and subject to no appeal. Arbitration expenses shall not be an expense in determining House Profit. Judgment upon the award rendered maybe entered into any court having jurisdiction, or applications may be made to such court for an order of enforcement.
