Lyons, Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP), began ACCENT on Arrangements, Inc. with just two people and one goal: to provide meeting professionals and convention planners with local expertise, the highest level of customer service, and truly unforgettable experiences. Our staff now consists of 11 full-time employees, 6 project managers, and more than 100 part-time employees. ACCENT now runs 100 programs in every major meeting city in the US, as well as in Canada and the Caribbean. You can expect total professionalism and hands-on management of each job, exceptional attention to security and safety procedures, and consistently high quality service from ACCENT. ACCENT boasts numerous awards and features in several major business publications including The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, and Nation's Business, as well as an appearance on Good Morning America. ACCENT has an established presence in New Orleans as one of its first accredited Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME). ACCENT Awards & Accolades:
- 2010 ISES Esprit Award for Best Meeting/Conference (Program Budget of over $250,000+)
- 2010 ADME Achievement Award for Best Innovative Event ($200,001 and above)
- WBEC South 2010 WBE Supplier of the Year ($1-10 Million)
- 2010 ADME Achievement Award for Best Recreational Activity
- 2012 ADME Achievement Award for Best Team-Building Activity
- 2014 ADMEI Achievement Awards: Best Innovative Events – $100,001 – $200,000
- 2015 ADME International Excellence Award for Excellence in Sustainable Initiatives
- 2015 ISES Esprit Award for Best Meeting Conference Program ($250,000+)
-2015 International Special Events Society (ISES) Esprit Award: Best Meeting/Conference Program with a budget over $250,000
- 2015 ADMEI Achievement Award for Excellence in Sustainable Initiatives
- 2016 ADMEI Achievement Award 2016 for Best Creative Activity – Best Corporate Social Responsibility
- 2016 ADMEI Award 2016 for Excellence in Site Inspections
- 2023 ADMEI Achievement Award for Best Four-Week Challenge Event
Diane Lyons, President
Awards and Accolades
- Smart Meetings’ 2024 Smart Women in Meetings Award
- DMC Network’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award
- Biz New Orleans’ 2023 Women to Watch
- PCMA Convene Magazine "Author of the Year"
- Named "Top 50 Business Women of New Orleans" by New Orleans City Business
- Contributing Editor to Conference Direct’s Meeting Mentor Magazine
- Member of Board of Managers, DMC Network
- New Orleans Magazine’s 2016 People to Watch
- American Red Cross’ 2016 Power of Women Honoree
- HandCraft Heroes Award 2013
ACCENT's Affiliations:
- Financial & Insurance Conference Planners
- Society of Incentive & Travel Executives
- Professional Convention Management Association
- International Special Events Society
- Meeting Professionals International
- New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
- National Association of Catering Executives
- Association of Destination Management Executives
- American Society of Association Executives
