FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Laurie Singletary
(504) 524-1227
lsingletary@accent-dmc.com

NEW ORLEANS, LA - December 9, 2016 - Diane B. Lyons, CMP, DMCP, President of ACCENT-DMC, Inc., has been nominated for the acclaimed Association of Destination and Meeting Executives International (ADMEI) Achievement Award in the category of Best Creative Activity - Best Public Event.

"We are thrilled to be recognized by this esteemed organization for our achievements in special events," says Lyons. "ADMEI, award winners are known throughout the industry as ‘the best of the best' so we are honored to be in such company."

In her 30-plus year career as a special event professional, Lyons has earned her Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designations and has led one of the most respected destination management companies in the New Orleans area. In 2007, ACCENT was selected by the DMC Network as its exclusive New Orleans member company and successfully completed the requirements for the ADMEI Charter Accredited Destination Company designation as one of its charter members.

ACCENT's nomination for Best Creative Activity-Best Public Event is entitled, "NOLA ChristmasFest...Cool as Ice", for management of the 2015 NOLA ChristmasFest. In its 4th year, the concept was to offer an indoor family-friendly event by capturing as many holiday interests as possible with a strategically planned and curated menu of programs. The highlight of the 2015 event was the innovative addition of New Orleans' only indoor ice skating rink and a variety of carnival rides and holiday experiences.

ADMEI award winners will be announced and recognized at the ADMEI Annual Meeting in Barcelona Spain on Saturday, January 17, 2017.

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About ACCENT-DMC, Inc., a DMC Network Company:
Founded in 1991 by Diane B. Lyons, ACCENT-DMC is a privately held corporation 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 as well as children's programs and events. Headquartered in New Orleans, ACCENT has a management team with more than 90 years of combined destination management experience. It is a proud member of the DMC Network, an LLC of the top performing, wholly owned DMCs through North America. In addition to its DMC activities, ACCENT also produces FestiGals, a non-profit enrichment weekend in New Orleans each June that brings women of all ages together, showcases the local culture, and generates awareness and funding for causes affecting women. ACCENT-DMC is an ADMEI Charter Accredited Destination Company and WBENC-certified Women's Business Enterprise through the Women's Business Enterprise Council South.

About ADMEI (Association of Destination Management Executives International):
ADMEI is the global voice of the destination management industry. ADMEI is the premier resource for education, standards and practices within the DMC industry/profession. ADMEI has a global presence and a respected reputation for sharing the value of DMCs to both internal and external stakeholders. Members collaborate to define and advance new initiatives and, also, look to ADMEI for advances impacting the destination management industry. ADMEI is the trusted partner in the certification of destination management professionals and the accreditation of destination management companies.