Founded in 1991, ACCENT is an award-winning, full-service event/meeting planning firm in New Orleans. In 1991, Diane B.
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
08/06/2025
Way to go, Walt! Big congrats on the recognition! Love seeing good people get the credit they deserve.
We are proud to celebrate our President and CEO, Walt Leger III, for being named one of Meetings Today's 2025 Meetings Trendsetters (). This recognition honors the most forward thinking leaders shaping the future of meetings and events.
Since taking the helm at New Orleans and Company in 2023, Walt has led with purpose and a deep commitment to innovation, inclusion, and economic opportunity. His leadership continues to show that meetings are more than events. They are catalysts for connection, growth, and lasting impact.
08/06/2025
A wonderful Grand Dame !
The grand finale, Arnaud’s style ☕️🔥
08/05/2025
In , every day could be Oyster Day… but today it’s official! Raw, chargrilled, or swimming in butter, we’ll take a dozen ... on repeat... thanks 🦪😍
08/05/2025
It's National Oyster Day, and our friends at Pontchartrain Conservancy have some fun facts about the mollusk that means so much to New Orleans.
08/05/2025
Happy Birthday to the one who keeps us inspired, energized, and always a step ahead, Diane Lyons ! Whether it's brainstorming the next big event or making us laugh until we cry, you make this wild ride a whole lot more fun. We’re lucky to be along for it. We love you!
08/03/2025
The Superdome turns 50 today!! 😍
Since August 3, 1975, that big beautiful dome has been more than just a stadium. It’s been a backdrop for some of the biggest moments in sports, music, and New Orleans history. A symbol of strength, resilience, and everything this city stands for.
We’ve had the absolute joy of helping bring events to life inside those walls... from corporate celebrations to game-day magic... and it never gets old. Every time we walk in, it’s a little awe-inspiring. (Even after all these years.)
Here’s to 50 years of unforgettable moments… and a whole lot more to come. Happy birthday, ! You’ve still got it. 🥂
07/31/2025
August in New Orleans is a full-on adventure. One minute you’re sipping champagne in a gallery, the next you’re in a red dress running through the French Quarter... or taking down a snoball (or three) to cool off. Art, eats, live music, mermaids, pickles… this month’s got a little something for everyone.
Plan your fun: neworleans.com/events
07/29/2025
This isn’t a showroom. It’s a real event space we transformed for a real (and really fun) group. No filters, no fluff. Just ACCENT doing what we do 😎
More soon.
07/25/2025
Still riding the high from the 2025 DMC Network, LLC Exchange 🙌Great people, great vibes, and moments we won’t forget anytime soon.
Catch the recap in Incentives Today by Meetings Today.
"The entire week was awe-inspiring...I walked away from a fun-filled week making some genuine connections I certainly won't forget."
Our clients put it best, in this excellent feature on our 2025 DMC Network Exchange! You'll find it in the latest issue of "Incentives Today," hot off the press from Meetings Today. Download your copy for more Exchange highlights: https://www.meetingstoday.com/incentives-today-spring-summer-2025
07/22/2025
⚠️ FYI - is back in New Orleans this August, and it’s a seriously good deal. Get a membership to one participating museum, and you’ll get free access to 20+ others across the city, all month long.
Art, history, science, and the kind of unexpected gems you’ll end up loving, it’s all waiting. Grab a friend, skip the lines, and go see a different side of the magical city we love.
🎟️ Details: neworleans.com/museummonth
07/20/2025
A knockout night in the Big Easy! 👊 New Orleans showed up and showed out.
That’s a wrap on UFC 318. Reinforcing that New Orleans is Built to Host, the event sold out the Smoothie King Center, with an enthusiastic crowd of 18,138 and $8.09 million in ticket sales, the highest-grossing gate in Smoothie King Center history.
Congrats to Max Holloway for retaining the UFC BMF Championship with a unanimous decision victory and thank you Louisiana Native Dustin Poirier for closing out your incredible career in New Orleans.
During the post-fight press conference, UFC President and CEO Dana White said, “Tonight was a huge success. The gate, the buzz, the energy in this town. It couldn’t have been better. I’m very happy.” We can’t wait to welcome UFC back.
07/18/2025
Heads up! 🍸
Tales of the Cocktail kicks off this Sunday (July 20) and runs through Friday (July 25), and it’s one of the most fun (and flavorful) weeks in the French Quarter.
Think masterclasses, cocktail history, and seriously talented bartenders shaking things up all over town.
📍 Events happening all over the Quarter
🎟️ Grab your tickets: talesofthecocktail.org
💻 Can’t make it in person? Try the Virtual Cocktail Tour presented by New Orleans & Company: talesofthecocktail.org/get-involved/virtual-cocktail-tour
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In 1991, Diane B. Lyons, Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP), began ACCENT New Orleans, Inc., a DMC Network Company 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.
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 is a proud member of the DMC Network, LLC, the meeting and event industry’s only fully member-owned community of destination management companies (DMCs) operating in over 100 destinations across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Europe. DMC Network harnesses the talents of a dynamic, trust-driven community of like-minded DMCs sharing best practices, education, networking and customer referrals. We strive to be recognized as the world’s leading DMC community, connecting you to fully accredited, legacy organizations whose unsurpassed reputations, local relationships and expertise guarantee peace of mind and flawless program delivery. For further information, please visit: www.dmcnetwork.com
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 International (ADMEI).
ACCENT’s Awards:
2010 ILEA Esprit Award for Best Meeting/Conference (Program Budget of over $250,000+)
2010 ADMEI Achievement Award for Best Innovative Event ($200,001 and above)
WBEC South 2010 WBE Supplier of the Year ($1-10 Million)
2010 ADMEI Achievement Award for Best Recreational Activity
2012 ADMEI Achievement Award for Best Team-Building Activity
2015 ADMEI International Excellence Award for Excellence in Sustainable Initiatives
2015 ILEA Esprit Award for Best Meeting Conference Program ($250,000+)
2016 ADMEI Best Creative Activity - Best Social Responsibility
2016 ADMEI Excellence in Site Inspections
2019 Crescent City Excellence Awards - Best Non-Profit Event
President, Diane Lyons Awards and Accolades:
PCMA Convene Magazine "Author of the Year"
Named "Top 50 Business Women of New Orleans" by New Orleans City Business in 2004 and 2012
Contributing Editor to Conference Direct’s Meeting Mentor Magazine
Member of Board of Managers, DMC Network; Board Member of New Orleans & Company; Board Member New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network
New Orleans Magazine Top Female Achiever 2013
New Orleans Magazine People to Watch 2016
American Red Cross Power of Women 2016
Brestoration’s Community Partner Award 2017
American Heart Association’s Circle of Red Chair 2019
ACCENT's Affiliations:
Financial & Insurance Conference Planners
Society of Incentive & Travel Executives
Professional Convention Management Association
International Live Events Association
Meeting Professionals International
New Orleans & Company
Association of Destination Management Executives International
New Orleans Chamber
New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network
Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
