One-time convention planner Diane Lyons formed Accent nine years ago. Today, Accent organizes child care for about 150 events a year for clients ranging from McDonald's and CNA Insurance to the Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain and the American Dental Association. The cost to meeting sponsors can run into thousands of dollars, depending on the number of hours and days of care, number of children, location and activities. Kids from infants to young teens can attend. Entertainment may include relay races and crafts, field trips to Orlando's Gatorland or Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, or a visit by Deputy Dawg.
Security is a major selling point.
Accent photographs parent and child when the child is dropped off, and allows only the adult in the photo to pick up the child. Kids Konvention, an Orlando-based competitor, uses ID bracelets for children in its care, President Barbara Weinstein says. At the college's April meeting in New Orleans, attended by 6,000 doctors, Accent cared for 330 children over five days. When the meeting was over, a few parents got a surprise. They'd made good friends during the week and didn't want to leave.