The 21 Convention

“The People” of The 21 Convention

Posted on 02. Mar, 2010 by Anthony 'Dream' Johnson in Articles, News

This post has been in the back of my mind for some time now, and I think it’s finally time to speak freely about the people who have been or are currently a part of The 21 Convention – because believe it or not, I don’t run this show all on my own. I’ve had a lot of help over the years, and while credit may not be demanded by the following individuals, it is certainly due for their various contributions to the convention itself, or my personal life and well being.

This is meant to be a thanks more than a “top ten list”, and as such, the following individuals are not in any particular order of importance.

With that preamble out of the way, let’s begin shall we?

Peter Murphy

Peter Murphy (the 2009 co-host and face of The 21 Convention) is somewhat of an old, and new friend alike – if that makes any sense. We grew up in the same town, and knew of each other vaguely while attending the same middle school together. Ironically, we traveled to Paris France together on a school trip in the 8^th grade.

After middle school I didn’t hear much about Peter, until meeting him at a mutual friends birthday dinner in Orlando. Someone he was with, sitting far across a large tabled whispered to him “Dude… is that Dream?!”

Peter of course recognized me from middle school, and at about the same time I recognized him. At which point – from memory – I shouted out PETER MURPHY!

As if we knew each other well from long ago. Of course, we didn’t. But we knew of each other well enough to recognize faces.

Peter had seen PPC ads on Facebook (join The 21 Convention fan page here) for The 21 Convention not long before this birthday dinner, and had read The Game not long before that. Needless to say, he was very well aware of both “the community” and The 21 Convention.

Knowing me personally from grade school, and living in Orlando currently, he was highly interested in attending the event.

We eventually began going out to bars, meeting women – the usual. As it turned out, Peter had hosted a show for MTV over the past summer, as well as for the local FOX News affiliate in our home town of Cape Coral.

Knowing full well The 21 Convention needed someone exactly like Peter … well, his involvement kind of grew organically as time went on. It was a no brainier. Peter not only had a passion and interest in helping “the community” equal to or greater than my own, but he also had a visible enthusiasm and talent for being on camera.

Something I sorely, and very obviously lack most of the time =)

Come July 2009 Peter performed an outstanding job as co-host of the event, and “show man” for the trailer that was literally created on the spot – yet blew people’s socks off upon it’s release.

Peter Murphy is currently something of a “micro-celebrity”, now hosting a local Orlando TV show called “Orlando Live”. And as previously mentioned, he had a short debut on MTV. He’s also starred in a few short films, including Call Girls.

His involvement with The 21 Convention is widespread, and crucial. He is constantly trying to get the convention press, and socially spreading the word about the event and website/free footage.

Peter will be the official host of T21C 2010 (Orlando). It’s time for me to step aside in that regard, and pass that torch on for all intensive purposes. I’ll still be there of course, and will open the event – but I leave the role and responsibility of host to him, as a friend, and someone I trust.

You can follow him on Twitter here and view his official site at PeterMurphy.TV. Expect to see him on the big screen some day

Michael Gottino

Michael is probably someone you have never heard of before, unless you are in the film industry. Never the less, his role in The 21 Convention, and my personal mental health surrounding the event, has been easily as important as anyone else s over the years.

We met at a local coffee shop he owned in the Spring of 2008 regarding my local Craigslist ad for video/audio production at T21C 2008. He was the first to respond, the first guy I called, and the first guy I met regarding the audio/video required at the event.

Lucky I did too. Had I not met and chosen his production company for the 2008 event, it’s very possibly I would not be sitting here writing this post for you guys.

Michael is a man of principles, and recognizes the value in a man’s word. When I severely missed budget in 2008, and was short funds I owed him for the job – he stuck by me. I promised I would pay him at all costs, no matter what it took – and he stood by me.

Others in his situation? Would have walked.

In fact, once some of the free lance camera men found out that money was coming up short … they threatened to walk. Michael actually drove to the bank, and payed them cash to finish the job.. Not money from the event, but from his own personal bank account – all on my word to pay him as soon as humanly possible.

Had he and his men walked off set, the event would not have been filmed past day 1. A blow like that would have permanently crippled The 21 Convention.

He trusted me though, and in due time, was paid in full – plus some extra for unexpected costs. Weeks later, 2008 footage was delivered and released in online streaming format on an old partner site we used before The21Convention.com launched.

Michael is currently in his mid 40′s, and has a family. The constant wisdom and insight he has provided me with regarding the entrepreneurial side of this event has been of immense value over the years. Without him, I honestly don’t know where this event would be right now.

And all of this aside, his creative and professional talent with video production have been like rocket fuel for this event.

Check out his lengthy and impressive resume here.

Steve “El Topo” Mayeda

In all honesty, I could sit here and rant on about 99% of the speakers from The 21 Convention over the years. They all deserve a special thanks, but, this post would then turn into another one of my too long and drawn out posts teetering on 10,000 words =).

Steve (El Topo) deserves a special mention in my book though, primarily because he is another one of the few people who stuck by me and this convention when it was down and seeing stars.

No lie, when I was thousands of dollars short for the event in 2008, I was scared. I was nineteen years old, and had very little experience to draw upon for a situation like that. Steve spoke with me one on one though, and explained different ways the situation could turn out, and the options I had as such.

Even more importantly, Steve had the idea to do a special dinner after the convention one night. $50 and you could eat with and pick the brains of most speakers at the event. We ended up raising over $800 dollars for the convention that night. All money was donated to the convention deficit.

There was still a long way to go, but never the less it helped ease tension on the audio/video production side.

Steve is also a person that is passionate about helping individuals, and moving this “community” forward – rather than maintaining the status quo. He is one of the few genuine dating instructors that I know of, and has helped set my head straight many a time, on a range of different topics.

Perhaps most importantly of all, he’s helped me question my own long held beliefs and visions for this convention in the coming years. By questioning them, I’ve refined them – and this convention is all the better for it, along with my personal sanity

Visit Steve’s official website here, and view his documentary teaser clip here (it’s good).

“Nilatak”

“Nilatak” is probably a guy you haven’t heard of, unless you were at T21C 2007, or were fortunate enough to stumble upon his speech – which in my opinion, is one of the best ever given minute for minute at this event.

Nilatak is a former administrator of Toplair, and a long time close friend. He is a lot older than myself, but far and wide has helped guide me since we met at my first approach a thon some 4 years ago. In a lot of different (and strange) ways, I feel that I have followed in his foot steps maturing through college, life, work, women, and beyond.

He is one of the few people to have seen me, and this event, progress through the years – from behind the scenes. He’s helped and given me advice, through thick and thin – hell, he even walked me through my first “pull” from a bar.

I can not stress enough how critical his help and words of wisdom have been over the years, in so many different areas. We don’t see eye to eye on every little thing – but I feel we are both better off because of it, and our willingness to communicate.

“Nilatak” is now approaching his 30′s, and was married not long ago to a beautiful woman from his home country in Eastern Europe.

View his website here, and see his 2009 convention speech when you purchase a 2009 DVD set in the coming weeks.

Nilatak currently focuses on helping get The 21 Convention featured in major news and publications. We’ll see if he can pull it off … if so, see you on CNN =)

Jared “Ratisse” Dwyer & “Slikk” (not pictured)

Jared “Ratisse” Dwyer is a 3 year attendee and 2 year speaker at The 21 Convention. He is also a close friend and former house mate from Project Orlando.

“Slikk” is also a former house mate at Project Orlando and for a short time also helped coach workshops with me back in the days of Under 21 Lifestyle.

I don’t have an immense amount to say about these two, but I mention both because living with them in the same house was a truly unique and helpful experience. I was exposed to a lot of new things and ideas living with them, and in the long run, I believe it helped my personal development tremendously.

Especially regarding “success with women”. Both of these guys, Jared especially, were frikin players with women. We had a blast going out and bringing women home.

And while I hardly recognized it at the time… learning and experiencing this process with them was priceless. Something I’ll never forget, and look back on consistently for guidance – as goofy, unorthodox, and annoying as some of the experiences were =). I learned how to get along with people that were very different from myself, and how to pick up chicks in the process.

Jared has also been a huge supporter of The 21 Convention over the years. Definitely an underrated speaker.

Find Ratisse on Facebook here and see him at both T21C Orlando this year as well as T21C Stockholm.

Dejan “Zebra” and “Dasani” (not pictured)

Dejan aka “Zebra” is a long time friend, 2 year convention attendee, former student (who’s far surpassed me with women), 2008 speaker, and a critical part of T21C 2010 (Stockholm) – our first event outside of the United States.

Dasani is one of the few 3 year convention attendees that has been here since the very beginning, when the event was completely unknown, and in it’s infancy. He’s also the author of two reviews of the event, that in my opinion, are two of the best ever written.

More importantly, Dejan and “Dasani” have helped guide me along all these years. This is probably news to both of them (no one mentioned in this post was notified beforehand), but it is the truth never the less, from my perspective.

Talking with these two on infrequent occasions via cell/skype, and at the live events … I don’t know how to explain it.

I suppose they’ve helped make the event more “real” for me on a personal level. Perhaps that’s because we are 3 young guys on separate, but similar paths. And speaking with/meeting them on rare occasions serves as a reference point of sorts. With Dejan it always seems to be work/school/women related, and Dasani, more “philosophical” related, but then again that trickles off into a lot of other fields.

Such as “what the eff am I doing with my life?” type stuff.

In any case, their expertise, experience, and ability to understand my crazy goals slash idealistic ambitions are much appreciated, and not to be forgotten.

Look forward to Zebra’s speech in Stockholm this year and visit his official site by clicking here. Visit Dasani’s blogspot here.

“Nautilus” & “Right Hand Man”

Nautilus and Right Hand Man are two older gentlemen who have been around, since the very beginning. I met Nautilus long before the first convention (which he went on to speak at), and I met RHM for the first time at the 2007 “approach a thon”.

What’s most intriguing about these guys to me, now (besides their unconventional and drama free approach to meeting women), is that they have shown exceptional patience for my pig headed and stubborn ways over the years.

That’s right (and probably not a surprise to many of you!). I was once very stubborn … and still am. The difference between “then” and now however is that it wasn’t an especially positive trait then. It often resulted in a LOT of unnecessary headache and abrasive arrogance, that got me into a good deal of trouble every so often.

Both of these men recognized this … and did their best to not fuel the fire. They told me what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it – and you know what? – I eventually listened. Both were right on a variety of different life issues, and I appreciate their combined wisdom and patience with me as I went through a few growing pains.

Without the help of these two men, my life would be a lot different right now – not to mention, The 21 Convention.

Check out RHM’s blogspot here, and look forward to seeing him in our coming documentary. And of course, RHM will be at T21C 2010 (Orlando). We also did a local radio interview together last spring here in Central Florida … maybe someday I can get the video from it. Was definitely a kick ass experience.

Tim L. and Jonas Sandstrom

Tim is my current room mate, and long time friend. He was literally the first person I talked to about hosting some sort of convention, and the first person to openly support it. Above even that … he was the original web designer for Under21Convention.com and other web properties once used.

The work was relatively basic, but never the less, I didn’t have the slightest clue how to do any of it back then. He did everything, for free, or damn near free. From helping register the domains, to hosting, and even setting up the original Vbulletin forum that was home base of The 21 Convention for quite some time.

Without Tim, there is little doubt in my mind that this convention would have ever even gotten off the ground, let alone become what it has today. Basic work, but of paramount and foundational importance. I hope to some day repay him for this debt, be it financially or otherwise.

Jonas Sandstrom is a person of similar relevance to The 21 Convention. From memory, I met him through my blog, The Dream Lounge. Like Tim, Jonas has helped behind the scenes with technical issues that would have otherwise eluded me, cost me hundreds if not thousands of dollars to fix, or dozens upon dozens of hours of my time that is constantly needed elsewhere.

While not as foundational as Tim’s work, I find it to be of equal importance as The21Convention.com and TheDreamLounge.net gain momentum in the digital world we live in today. I look forward to meeting Jonas in Stockholm this summer (he lives just a few hours away in Sweden). Check out his blog here.

Johnny “Manwhore” & Mehow

Manwhore – now there’s a classic convention speaker. Johnny Manwhore was present at both T21C 2007 and 2008 – and rocked the house both years.

Mehow was also a 2007/2008 speaker.

The primary reason I mention Manwhore and Mehow is that they came to speak at the event when it was in it’s infancy – for free. They flew across the country, and pulled in a lot of credibility to the event when it was needed most, as a result. They didn’t know me, and risked quite a bit coming to Orlando on word of mouth alone (as if the attendees didn’t!).

Never the less, without these two present in 2007, I am unsure as to where the event would be today.

In addition, Manwhore is someone who’s “had my back” on many occasions, as well as the convention in and of itself.

Check out Manwhore’s blog here and Mehow’s blog here. Look forward to the return of Johnny Manwhore at T21C 2010 (Orlando).

Dj Fuji & Dodger/Hshudo

Last but certainly not least: Dj Fuji and Hshudo – both new to the event in 2009.

I mention these two due to their grass roots involvement leading up to and post T21C 2009. Both have been highly involved with the online side of the convention. Dj Fuji has frequently blogged about T21C, spoken highly of it on and offline, and given a lot of care to the massive discussion of his 2009 speech.

Dj Fuji is also someone that has been very pro-active about his exposure from T21C 2009, and benefited greatly from it …

That’s right, T21C is here to help everyone, not just attendees. With guys like Dj Fuji, speaking at this event helped “put him on the map” and really gain a foot hold in a somewhat stagnant (and misguided) industry.

For someone to skyrocket in popularity from this event – that actually cares, and loves what he does!?

One word: awesome =)

Similarly, Dodger (Hshudo) has been by far the biggest contributor to The 21 Convention Community. He posts frequently, and helps fill the gap left behind as my role in this convention shifts (sort of like Peter being the host). Along with guys like Zebra and Right Hand Man posting on there, the forum remains value packed as ever.

Dodger also writes original content for The21Convention.com, and reviews products from T21C speakers – something I do no feel unbiased enough to do any longer.

For this, I thank Dj Fuji and Dodger. They may be relatively new, but have helped out in a big big way – and I look forward to having them back at the event for years to come.

Check out Dj Fuji’s blog here and his documentary teaser clip here.

Find Dodger on the discussion forum linked above, and all of his T21C content here.

*Also, be sure to bitch at Dodger on the forum about starting a coaching service. He’s been reluctant to do so, but I keep egging him on – because he’s good! And I feel it’s something he will excel at.

…

I wish I could go on, but this post is now over 3,000 words, and it has to end somewhere.

There are a lot of people who have helped this convention in very real and actionable ways over the years, and many were mentioned. If you are someone who has (even indirectly) and were not mentioned however, don’t sweat it. It’s unavoidable that I missed someone, and never the less, I do appreciate what you’ve done, even if I haven’t specifically stated so in this shout out.

Thanks guys, let’s continue kickin ass.

-Anthony/Dream

Tags: dasani, dejan, dj fuji, el topo, Hshudo, jared dwyer, johnny manwhore, jonas sandstrom, mehow, michael gottino, nautilus, nilatak, Peter Murphy, project orlando, ratisse, rhm, right hand man, slikk, steve mayeda, zebra

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