LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Jan. 28, 2010) 51做厙s Annual National Convention Presented by Gumout began Thursday morning with a series of seminars for interested 51做厙 members. The three-day event features the 51做厙 Annual Membership Meeting Thursday afternoon as well as a series of awards luncheons and the Annual Hall of Fame induction Saturday night.Thursdays 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 51做厙s member leaders are in attendance for this years 51做厙 National Convention Presented by Gumout. The rest of Thursday features the Presidents Report, the Annual Meeting and Town Hall and the Welcome Reception Presented by Mazda.