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LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Jan. 28, 2010) €“ Â鶹ÊÓƵ€™s Annual National Convention Presented by Gumout began Thursday morning with a series of seminars for interested Â鶹ÊÓƵ members. The three-day event features the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Annual Membership Meeting Thursday afternoon as well as a series of awards luncheons and the Annual Hall of Fame induction Saturday night.Thursday€™s luncheon featured leadership and Regional achievement awards from 2009. The winners were as follows:Tom Burke Award for Regional GrowthSmall Regions €“ Guam RegionMedium Regions €“ South Jersey RegionLarge Regions €“ Philadelphia RegionJumbo Regions €“ Milwaukee RegionRegion Communication Awards (Web and Newsletter Excellence)First Place: Atlanta RegionSecond Place: Kansas City RegionThird Place: South Jersey RegionHonorable Mention: Dixie Region, Northeast Oklahoma Region and Pan American RegionRegion Achievement (Overall program excellence including growth, retention and variety of program and events)Small Regions: Salina RegionMedium Regions: Blackhawk Valley RegionLarge Regions: Northern New Jersey RegionJumbo Regions: Colorado RegionNearly 450 of Â鶹ÊÓƵ€™s member leaders are in attendance for this year€™s Â鶹ÊÓƵ National Convention Presented by Gumout. The rest of Thursday features the President€™s Report, the Annual Meeting and Town Hall and the Welcome Reception Presented by Mazda.