Grit keynotes for Al Ain, the Garden City
Al Ain is the UAE’s largest inland city and the first in the country with UNESCO World Heritage status. Paris brings The Grit Code to its campuses and organisations.
Oases and heritage
In 2011 Al Ain’s cultural sites became the first UNESCO World Heritage listing in the UAE. The city is known as the Garden City for its oases and falaj irrigation.
UAE University, founded in 1976 by Sheikh Zayed, is the oldest university in the country and is based here. Jebel Hafeet rises just south of the city.
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 Ain
UAE University and schools
Talks for students, faculty and staff.
Government entities
Keynotes for public-sector teams.
Football and sport
Endurance stories for clubs and academies.
Heritage and tourism
Sessions for visitor-economy teams.
Where Al Ain meets
Al Ain’s hotels and university campus host conferences, graduations and government events.
- Radisson Blu, Danat Al Ain and Rotana hotels – long-standing hotel venues in the city
- UAE University campus – halls and auditoriums
Keynote, workshop or virtual
Choose the flagship Grit Code keynote (45–60 min), a Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day), a 30–45 min virtual keynote, or Paris as host and MC for the day. Compare formats →
Tested at sea, on the ice and on stage
7 marathons, 7 continents
Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Rowed the Pacific
4,800 km in 2023, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
See Paris as a keynote speaker in Abu Dhabi. Keynote speaker Abu Dhabi · The Grit Code keynote
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Al Ain, 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.
See also keynote speaker in the UAE, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
The Garden City of Al Ain
Al Ain, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, is known as the Garden City for its oases and falaj irrigation channels, which form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to UAE University, major hospitals, agriculture and a strong public sector.
Blazing Sand Studios, where Paris is CEO, has an office at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi, so Al Ain organisations are working with a team rooted in the emirate.
Universities, healthcare teams and government entities in Al Ain use The Grit Code to build resilience in students, staff and leaders, and Paris also delivers The Grit Generation programme for young people.
Why Paris knows Al Ain's audiences
Paris Norriss moved to Dubai around 2009 because he believed in the UAE's long-term vision, and he has lived in the country ever since: 17 years of building a career, a company and a home here.
He presented Guy in Dubai, the adventure series that ran for four seasons and 26 episodes on Dubai Television and has more than 22 million views. His shows have aired on Dubai TV, OSN, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia. Today he is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, the production company with offices in Business Bay, Dubai, and at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi.
Over those years he has worked as an ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel, and he is an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good. He has spoken at COP28 at Expo City Dubai (December 2023) and at Expo 2020 Dubai (2021), and UAE clients include Nokia, Kraft Heinz, Dubai Airports, Dulsco, Al Kabeer Foods, IHG and the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF).
That is why The Grit Code lands in Al Ain. It is not a visiting speaker's generic script; it comes from someone who has lived through the UAE's growth and understands the teams building it.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Al Ain?
Yes. Paris takes Al Ain bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Does Paris speak at university events in Al Ain?
Yes. He gives keynotes and workshops for students and staff, in person or virtually.
Does Paris speak at universities in Al Ain?
Yes. He speaks at universities and schools, and The Grit Generation programme is designed for students.
Does Paris have a base in the emirate of Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Blazing Sand Studios, where he is CEO, has an office at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi.
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