The former executive director for the Livingston County Convention and Visitors Bureau has been recognized with a unique distinction.

Barbara Barden served the Bureau for 25 years before retiring this past May. Last week, the Michigan Society of Association Executives inducted her into their Hall of Fame during its annual Diamond Awards ceremony held in Dearborn. Since its founding in 2002, the Michigan Association Hall of Fame has enshrined 43 executives, but only 3 from the Convention and Visitors Bureau branch. Of those 3, Barden has become the first female to receive the honor. Current Executive Director Mary Zucchero credited Barden for helping the county grow significantly as a tourism destination under her leadership.

Barden said she was honored to join the ranks of the many other distinguished inductees, and that this achievement would not have been possible without the support of the bureau’s board of directors and staff.(MK)