Headquartered in New Orleans, ACCENT was founded in 1991 to offer busy parents a way to combine business and parenting while allowing meeting planners an inexpensive and easy way to attract a broader audience. Focusing solely on children’s programs for more than 10 years, ACCENT on Children’s Arrangements became the premiere provider of children’s programs in the United States.

Due to the stellar reputation of the ACCENT team for their attention to detail, several repeat clients asked Diane if she would consider expanding her services. After much consideration and the continual urging, Diane decided to open ACCENT on Arrangements, Inc. doing what she had started doing more than 20 years ago: full service destination management. ACCENT on Arrangements, Inc. was created with the primary interest of planning, managing and supervising group activities to include spouse/guest programs, team building activities, special events, entertainment and décor, transportation services, speaker programs, hospitality staff and VIP services.

During its 16 years in business, ACCENT has earned a sterling reputation, traveling with both associations and corporations around the country. As a result of its professionalism and hands-on approach to each job, the exceptional attention to security and safety procedures and the consistency of quality service, ACCENT’s activities have been featured in several major business publications including The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and Nation’s Business and on Good Morning America and other national broadcast shows. Recently, Diane Lyons was honored as one of New Orleans top 50 businesswoman by New Orleans CityBusiness (a local weekly business publication).

Today, both companies exist under the name ACCENT on Arrangements, Inc. and have grown from a one-person office to a success story with 12 full-time employees, 6 program managers and more than 100 part-time employees. And, while ACCENT is headquartered in New Orleans, it has provided programs throughout the United States as well as Hawaii, Canada and the Caribbean.

ACCENT’s professional staff strives to provide customized solutions for meeting planners…making the impossible, possible and imagining, creating and implementing creative and affordable solutions for every environment, group and desired goal.

What is a Destination Management Company (DMC)?

According to Meeting Planners International, a destination management company provides meeting support and event services in a city. As local experts, DMCs provide in-depth information and contacts in the destination, working behind the scenes to assist a planner with special events, dinners, transportation, tours and activities.

Why choose ACCENT?

• One Stop Shop: ACCENT offers a variety of services to meet your every need.
• Experience: On the destination management side, ACCENT’s combined experience exceeds 50 years, while on the children’s side, ACCENT’s more than 16 years experience providing children’s programs is unmatched by any competitor.
• Expertise: ACCENT’s spent more than a decade focusing on becoming experts in children’s programs. And, while anyone in the industry can attest that adult events are challenging, having done both, the ACCENT team can assure you that children’s programs are far more detailed, more specialized and even more challenging. It is that experience and dedication that makes ACCENT the best choice for your total meeting.
• Customized Planning: No event, tour program or transportation need is the same; however, ACCENT draws upon its extensive experience and customizes each program to meet every client’s ultimate goal while staying within their desire budget range. It is ACCENT’s creativity and proactive solution solving that keeps clients returning year after year.
• Consistent Service: Big or small, tomorrow or in 2 years – no matter when, ACCENT’s team remains constant and provides consistent service that exceeds client’s expectations.
• 24/7 and On-site Support: No matter where the event or program is located, ACCENT provides on-site support and 24/7 management.
• Safety and Security: Since ACCENT was founded as a children’s program provider, ACCENT understands the stringent level of attention to security required. From fire and emergency safety plans to crisis planning, ACCENT prepares for the unthinkable.
• Staff and Management Team: ACCENT’s team is dedicated professionals that are passionate about their work, their clients and their careers. No matter the request, ACCENT’s team can make it a reality.
• Registration: ACCENT has designed and developed an online registration system that is customized for each client and enables meeting participants to register and make payments online as well as by phone, mail or fax.