Guys, I do apologize for the lack of a “voice” on The21Convention.com lately. The reason for that is twofold – for one, I’ve been exceptionally busy organizing an  annual camping trip for my friends and in memory of my former best friend, Curtis Noll.

This takes a surprising amount of work to pull off, and is only topped by organizing the convention every year. Stress or no stress though, I do enjoy it at a core level, just like The 21 Convention.

The second reason I’ve personally been quiet on the site is that I wanted to voice my thoughts elsewhere for a time (the forum specifically) and allow other speakers to shine on the site, since The21Convention.com is not my blog, it is a content stream for all speakers to participate in – past, present, and future.

That said though, as the director of this event, I do need to have a voice on this site, and it must be loud & clear for all to hear.

This, is one of those posts, with many more to follow.

What’s been happening with the convention lately?

The most exciting events have stemmed from filming “the documentary” – in quotes since it is a documentary, and not a 40 minute commercial. The 21 Convention is only one piece of the puzzle we are forming as we go along – the larger picture centers around the community, its’ origins, where it’s going, men’s success, and just what the hell is going on in modern society.

The “exciting events” include filming the interviews with convention speakers, and simply hanging out with them.

El Topo is a guy I’ve gotten to know well over the years, but the respect I had for him pales for the respect I now have for him, after hanging out for a few days while he was in Orlando.

Dj Fuji is another speaker I now have an improved relationship with due to this documentary, and I have to tell you guys, between these two men, I feel a lot less alone in an industry (world?) over run with scammers, charlatans, and people interested in little else besides burning a hole in your wallet.

I’ve also been working on the speaking lists for 2010, taking your suggestions into consideration, and working logistics for the coming events.

However, I will say I have not focused on the speaking line up as much as I have in the previous years, at this point in time. The reason for this is very simple – I’ve learned firsthand that inviting people too far in advance hinders the chance of them coming and creates unnecessary communication.

I plan to really bang out the speaking lists in January and February, when an invite results in a nay or yay, or let’s talk as soon as possible (instead of “let’s talk in a few months when the event is closer”). Not only is that annoying, but it creates more mental clutter for me to deal with, and less focus for other areas of this convention.

Enough jibber-jabber, who’s speaking?!

I’m sure a lot of people are wondering (my e-mail, facebook inbox, and twitter replies sure as hell reflect this anyway), just who the hell is speaking in 2010?

I’ll break this down into main categories – one for the USA event (Orlando,FL), and one for the Euro event (Stockholm, Sweden).

The USA event is taking place from July 22^nd-25^th, with the Euro event taking place about a month before from June 11^th- 13^th.

Sub categories will be people I have in mind or may have contacted about speaking already (briefly).

USA 2010 Confirmed (and if they spoke in previous years at T21C, those years are listed)

Anthony “Dream” Johnson (2007, 2008, 2009)

Johnny “Manwhore” (2007, 2008)

Drew Baye (2009)

El Topo (2008, 2009)

Adam Lyons (2008, 2009)

Nick Sparks (2009)

I need to “re-confirm” Nick, but it is highly unlikely he will not be at the 2010 US event.

Dj Fuji  (2009)

Hshudo (2009)

Ratisse (2008, 2009)

“Terminateher” and “Pretty Boy” (speech only available live, not to be filmed)

Erika Awakening (2009)

Right Hand Man (2008, 2009)

Rick Smith (Author of The Leap)

Rick Smith, best-selling business author and entrepreneur, is our most well-known speaker yet, and has been seen in more than 50 major media outlets.

Bill De Simone (Author of Moment Arm Exercise)

Bill is the world’s authority on the bio-mechanics of exercise. I assure you, his speech will blow you away, and cause a stir on this site only rivaled by Dj Fuji’s 2009 speech (thus far).

Possible speakers we will contact soon

Tim Ferriss

I’ve followed Tim’s work for years now, and have spoken with him briefly.  I will be contacting his assistant personally about him speaking this summer. People have told me he won’t speak, but I believe differently – and with his (brief) mention of me in his new expanded and updated Four Hour Work Week, I believe it’s now or never for him speaking (schedule allowing).

Tucker Max

I met Tucker on my 21^st birthday back in August, and spoke with him through e-mail not long after about speaking next summer. I believe the chance is real he will speak, despite his speaking fee that we have no chance of covering (barring major and unforeseen sponsorship).

Zan Perrion

Spoke with him last year about 2009, his schedule simply didn’t fit. I can’t imagine Zan not making it to the US event, or the Euro event if his schedule didn’t fit the July timeframe. If you don’t know who Zan is, check out this movie trailer that’s based on him (and includes him, literally).

Dane Cook

Strange choice, but I’ve always felt he has a lot to say outside of comedy, but hasn’t had the chance to voice whatever that may be. If anyone has suggestions for contacting him outside of normal channels, please shoot me an e-mail at Dream at The21Convention.com.

Tiger Woods

Here’s another one people think I’m nuts on, but hey, my response is, why not? Tiger lives not 20 minutes from the convention hotel in Orlando – he could literally speak after grabbing lunch downtown. If he has something to say about success, The 21 Convention is the place for him to do it.

Hypnotica (as featured in the best-selling book The Game)

Dj Fuji knows him well, and virtually everyone I’ve talked to recommends he speaks (especially El Topo). I look forward to speaking with him about this summer.

David Deida

Author of The Way of the Superior Mani, definitely needs to be at this event. Any suggestions on contacting him outside of normal means is much appreciated (authors like him get tons of speaking requests and it’s easy to get brushed aside without a direct contact).

I have other’s in mind for the US event (including unmentioned speakers from previous years), but I am also open to suggestion. However, we are fast running out of room, even at 4 days in length. Comment below the post to suggest someone.

Euro 2010 Confirmed (with previous convention experience listed)

Anthony “Dream” Johnson (2007, 2008, 2009)

El Topo (2008, 2009)

Adam Lyons (2008, 2009)

Dharam (Pua Training)

Ratisse (2008, 2009)

Jeremy Soul (Love Systems)

Richard “Gambler” La Ruina

Adam Lyons confirmed this for me, but I have not spoken with Richard personally yet about speaking.

Zebra (2008)

Vince Kelvin (Pua Summit)

Possible speakers

Johnny Soporno

Johnny said here that he would be interested in coming. I have yet to speak with him, but I can imagine he will speak if his schedule allows as he has shown interest in previous years (from memory).

RSD Instructor

I met Papa shortly before our 2009 event (boy I look like a happy camper eh? lol), and worked out the details for Nathan to speak at the 2009 convention, as long as he wasn’t filmed. I spoke with Papa post 2009 and mentioned our coming Euro event, and he stated that they would likely send an instructor (Alex if memory serves right) to the event. I need to iron out the details, but it is likely Alex (or another instructor from RSD) will attend.

Badboy

People continually request for Badboy to speak. I will be contacting him soon about the Euro event. We’ll see what happens.

Charismatic Revolution

I’ve spoken with them briefly, and they are highly interested in attending. I need to iron out specifics with them, but it is highly likely you will see someone from this Swedish dating company present.

Other European/Swedish dating coaches

There are a number of other coaches that have contacted me from Sweden (and other parts of Europe). Since I cannot meet any of them personally, Zebra will do so for me, and from there we can select who will speak based off of his impression (I have a lot of respect for Zebra and trust his judgment and intuition).

Kezia Noble (Pua Training)

I have no problem with Kezia speaking, and convention activists have continually requested she speak. However, we already have 3 reps from Pua Training, and four is quite a bit for my taste since this is an independent convention, and not a Pua Training conference. So, if we have room in a few months’ time (and upon further reflection), I will contact her.

The Euro list is not quite as big at the moment, but I do feel it is every bit as high quality as the US line up. It is also more centered on dating and relationships than the US event, which represents business/entrepreneurship/exercise (and probably nutritional) science in addition to the grass roots theme of success with women.

The 2010 Swedish convention is also 3 days in length, instead of four like the one in Florida – so we are a bit tighter on speaking slots and time. Never the less, it will be every bit as awesome as the one in Orlando =).

Additional Info

I’ve constantly been pressured to change the way the event is run, and to include additional workshops/presentations during the event (simultaneous speeches basically). My answer to this is the same as always – no.

I am one stubborn SOB most of the time, and while it sometimes bites me in the ass, this is one of those instances I’ll gladly stick to my guns and not allow this convention to be dumbed down into some type of circus/expo show.

That said, expect the nightly bonus talks (after the main event) to be better organized this year, in addition to free and paid workshops that are available yearly from current and past speakers. Many paid workshops should be available for purchase online as well pre-event (the majority of information will go to paid attendees only though, with a general outline available to the public).

What is this convention about, exactly?

This is a question I’ve gotten a lot lately (as the convention continues to pick up steam), and admittedly, I’ve struggled to verbally define what this event is about.

The reason?

This convention is bigger than me, bigger than the speakers, and bigger than all attendees combined. It is a movement, and it might as well be a wild animal at the same time.

At best, I can try to grab it by the horns and direct it, but to permanently label it and pack it up in a neat little box?

Downright insulting to the movement it represents.

In addition to this, my personal vision for the convention (the direction of the journey) is constantly changing. I’m young, and this (should) come as no surprise. But even so, where I want it to head is clearer every day that passes. Every experience I have, and every choice I make, puts me one step further in the right direction, regardless of the consequences and outcomes of those actions.

…

When I reflect on my earliest thoughts about this convention, this movement, everything that’s happened (the ridicule, the praise, the success, and the failures), and all of the feedback from online fans and real life attendees (and combine all that with my current understandings), I come up with the following “vision” for The 21 Convention.

This convention is about real and lasting change in individuals – and as a byproduct, the rest of the world as well.

I think the “rest of the world” part sounds a bit wishy washy (and I’ve heard this criticism), but I say it with all seriousness.

There are a lot of things in the world I believe need to change, and the only way to do that is by starting with ourselves (as individuals), and leading our lives by example. Make no mistake, as men, the buc stops with us – period.

As a group (gender)?

Perhaps, but groups are nothing more than concepts – collections of individuals.

That’s where real change begins, and ends, regardless of the field. It can be anything, from our physical shape and health, to the relationships we have with others, to political and philosophical movements.

The power is in the individual. And as men, we are leaders. It’s time to stand up for what’s right, and put an end to the non-sense that is conventional wisdom and group thinking – regardless of the subject.

As I told a close friend not long ago, in a world full of bull $hit, The 21 Convention is here to make a stand.

…

Sign up for The 21 Convention 2010 at the following links

USA (Orlando,FL) Jully 22^nd-25^th

Euro (Stockholm, Sweden) June 11^th-13^th

Ticket prices change December 31^st and have sold out every  price bracket thus far (with 3x as many tickets sold now in comparison to last year’s US event).

Seating is limited to 200 in Orlando, and 120 in Stockholm. Looking at the traffic on this site, I’m betting both events pack to capacity – and then some.

See ya in 2010

-Anthony “Dream” Johnson

ps- for those interested in a discount for either convention, the offer to invite friends to the facebook events (US or Euro) is still open. Contact us for details.

pps- Merry Christmas everyone