LAFAYETTE, LA – One Acadiana has earned state and international recognition for its work to advance Acadiana’s economy and develop strong organizational leadership, receiving a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and an Excellence in Advocacy Award from the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE). Additionally, One Acadiana Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Trenton Leonards has been selected to participate in the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ (ACCE) Next Generation Leadership Program.
“These recognitions reflect the scope of One Acadiana’s work and the strength of the team behind it,” said One Acadiana President & CEO Troy Wayman. “Whether we’re communicating our efforts to attract jobs and investment, advocating for a stronger business climate, or developing the leaders who will carry this work forward, our focus is on building a stronger future for Acadiana. We’re honored to have our work recognized by both IEDC and LACCE, and we proudly celebrate Trenton for this opportunity to develop his leadership skills and represent One Acadiana on a national level.”
Excellence in Economic Development
One Acadiana was recognized with a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), earning honors in the Annual Report category for the organization’s 2025 Impact Report: Dedication in Action. One Acadiana will be honored at the IEDC 2026 Annual Conference in New Orleans, October 25–28.
Each year, IEDC honors economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that demonstrate excellence in the field and advance the practice of economic development.
Released in January, One Acadiana’s 2025 Impact Report: Dedication in Action highlights measurable achievements across economic development, regional advocacy, workforce and talent development, and community engagement. Judges of the IEDC award praised the publication for its compelling storytelling, meaningful performance metrics, engaging design, and strategic presentation of complex information. The report was also recognized for being developed entirely in-house by One Acadiana’s Marketing & Communications team, showcasing the organization’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
“One Acadiana is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its Impact Report. This award shines a spotlight on One Acadiana’s commitment to its community and showcases the significant impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “IEDC is honored to present this award to One Acadiana to celebrate their leadership in the field of economic development.”
Excellence in Advocacy
One Acadiana was also presented with the Excellence in Advocacy Award at the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) Annual Conference on August 25 in Baton Rouge. LACCE’s annual awards recognize the creativity, leadership, advocacy, and impact demonstrated by chambers of commerce across Louisiana.
One Acadiana’s 2026 advocacy efforts centered on three strategic pillars: Economic Competitiveness, Talent Development, and Infrastructure Investment. Throughout the 2026 legislative session, One Acadiana paired direct advocacy with a comprehensive effort to keep the regional business community informed and engaged. Through events, free online resources, weekly legislative updates, speaking engagements, and post-session reporting, the organization worked to make complex policy issues accessible while ensuring Acadiana’s business priorities were represented at the State Capitol.
Next Generation Leadership Program
One Acadiana Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Trenton Leonards has been selected to participate in the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ Next Generation Leadership Program, a yearlong experience bringing together aspiring leaders from across the chamber industry.
Through chamber-specific professional development, mentorship, networking, and training, participants will strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and gain insights to support their continued growth. Leonards’ selection reflects One Acadiana’s commitment to cultivating leadership within the organization and investing in the professional development of its team.
“A strong future for the chamber profession starts with developing its next generation of leaders,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Chambers need leaders who can navigate change, build strong teams and bring people together to tackle complex issues. This year’s cohort brings the experience, fresh perspectives and commitment to make an impact. We’re excited to welcome them to the program.”
Together, these honors reflect One Acadiana’s multifaceted approach to strengthening the region—from advocating for policies that create the conditions for growth and delivering measurable economic results to developing the organizational leadership needed to sustain that impact for years to come.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the chamber of commerce for Lafayette and leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. The organization is one of four in the nation to hold both an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) accreditation and a five-star U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation. With more than 850 members, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of nearly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org
About the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Based in Washington, D.C., IEDC is the world’s largest association for economic developers. Originating a century ago, IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that represents the entire economic development profession. Members include practitioners in economic development through local, state, provincial, and federal governments, non-profits, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurial support organizations, chambers of commerce, utilities, universities, and a variety of other organizations.
IEDC is the leading voice in driving the future of the field. IEDC provides professional development through courses and certifications, networking, conferences, research, policy advocacy, partnerships, and other valuable offerings to economic development professionals across the globe. For more information, please visit www.IEDC.org.
About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is the professional association supporting the people who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Our membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide. We provide our members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking, retirement security and access to a network of peers. For more information, visit ACCE.org.