Resilience keynotes for Al Ahmadi’s oil teams
Al Ahmadi was founded in 1946 around Kuwait’s oil industry and is still home to its national oil companies. Paris brings The Grit Code to their teams.
Kuwait’s oil town
Al Ahmadi was founded in 1946 after oil was found in the area. It is the headquarters of Kuwait Oil Company and Kuwait National Petroleum Company.
Oil was first found at the Burgan field in 1938. In 1991, retreating forces set more than 700 Kuwaiti wells on fire, and the fires burned for months.
Fahaheel, on the coast east of Ahmadi, is known for its fish market and shrimp season. Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East.
Who Paris speaks to in Al Ahmadi
Oil production
Resilience for field and plant teams.
Refineries
Keynotes for turnaround and maintenance crews.
HSE and emergency response
Talks on staying calm under pressure.
Schools
Sessions for students.
Rooms and stages
Company halls and coastal hotels host Ahmadi’s safety days and leadership meetings.
- Hotels in Fahaheel and Mangaf – along the southern coast
- Kuwait City venues – for larger national conferences
Pick the format
Options: keynote, 45 to 60 minutes · workshop, 90 minutes up to half a day · virtual session, 30 to 45 minutes · host or MC for your event. Compare formats →
Why audiences believe him
5 days, 21 hours, 51 minutes
The time it took Paris to run 7 marathons on 7 continents: Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
More than £150,000 raised
For marine conservation, by rowing 4,800 km across the Pacific in 2023.
Watch the Pacific row film, where storms and setbacks shaped The Grit Code. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Kuwait City
On stage or on screen
Available for in-person events in Al Ahmadi, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers in the Middle East typically book speakers one to two months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
The keynote is delivered in English, and Arabic interpretation or translated slides are available on request through the organiser.
See also keynote speaker in Kuwait, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Al Ahmadi’s economy and who the talk is for
Al Ahmadi has a population of about 30,991 (2018 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
How a Grit Code session works
- Each booking begins with a call about the audience and what success looks like after the event.
- The talk turns the 7-marathon challenge and the Pacific row into habits teams can use on Monday morning.
- A virtual version of 30–45 minutes is available for distributed teams.
The content is shaped around Al Ahmadi organisations and their goals, so the room hears examples that match its own challenges. Paris presents as an adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.
Where the talk fits in Al Ahmadi
These are typical Al Ahmadi events for The Grit Code:
- Leadership offsites and strategy days, where senior teams need energy for a hard year ahead.
- Sales kick-offs and annual conferences, where the talk resets ambition and stamina.
- Awards nights and staff celebrations, where Paris can speak or host.
- Graduation, alumni and entrepreneurship events.
Credentials at a glance
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
Formats, timing and next steps
Most organisers book a 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote with Q&A. Teams that want to go further add the Grit Deconstruction workshop, which runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the talk into habits and commitments the group can use on Monday morning.
A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences. Paris can also host the full day as MC, which keeps the tone consistent from the opening to the close. He is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, so the briefing call covers both the audience’s goals and the practical run-of-show.
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views. The talk draws on the 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and on the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
To book, share the date, venue or virtual platform, audience size and the outcome you want. Paris replies with a short outline tailored to your room, then joins a briefing call before the event.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Al Ahmadi?
Yes. He is available for Al Ahmadi conferences, offsites and leadership events, on site or online.
Does the keynote work for HSE and safety days?
Yes. It can focus on discipline, preparation and staying calm when plans change.
Does this page cover Fahaheel?
Yes. Paris speaks at events across Ahmadi Governorate.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Al Ahmadi?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the keynote’s ideas into team habits and actions.
Can the keynote be delivered online for teams in Al Ahmadi?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences, delivered in your local time zone.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
How far in advance should we book?
Most organisers book between four and twelve weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible if the date is free, especially for virtual sessions.
Does Paris travel for in-person events?
Yes. He speaks at conferences and company events worldwide, in person or virtually, and shapes each talk around the local audience.
What does the briefing call cover?
Audience profile, the outcome you want, industry language to use or avoid, AV needs, and whether a workshop or MC role is part of the day.
Planning an event in Al Ahmadi?
Tell us about the room and the date. You can also book a call.