Grit keynotes for Albuquerque’s scientists and engineers
Albuquerque is home to Sandia National Laboratories and the International Balloon Fiesta. Paris brings The Grit Code to its labs and conferences.
High desert, hard science
Albuquerque sits on the Rio Grande at over 1,500 m, beneath the Sandia Mountains.
Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base make research and defence major employers.
Every October the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills the sky with hundreds of hot-air balloons; Paris has filmed a desert balloon ride himself.
Who Paris speaks to in Albuquerque
National laboratories
Resilience for researchers on long projects.
Defence
Talks for service and civilian teams.
Universities
Keynotes for students.
Tourism
Sessions for the visitor economy.
Event venues
The Albuquerque Convention Center hosts scientific and regional conferences.
- Albuquerque Convention Center – downtown
- Old Town venues – near the historic plaza
Ways to book Paris in Albuquerque
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 →
Endurance you can measure
A marathon on every continent
7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, from Antarctica to Miami via Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid and Fortaleza.
4,800 km of open ocean
The 2023 Pacific row, which raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Watch Paris’s hot-air balloon episode. Desert hot-air balloon episode · The Grit Code keynote
Booking for Albuquerque
Available for in-person events in Albuquerque, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book US speakers three to five months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
See also keynote speaker in the USA, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
An adventurer with American chapters
Paris Norriss's biggest adventure ended in the United States. With the Brothers N Oars crew he rowed 4,800 km from California to Hawaii in 39 days, 4 hours and 28 minutes, as part of a self-supported, unassisted team in the World's Toughest Row. The row raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation, and Paris went on to live in Hawaii for three months.
In 2025 he delivered his keynote to the US Army at Fort Shafter, Pearl Harbor, and he has spoken at Surfbreak in Honolulu. Miami was one of the stops when he ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
For Albuquerque conferences, sales kick-offs and leadership offsites, The Grit Code turns those experiences into practical habits: purpose, vision, challenging limiting beliefs, adapting the plan and keeping a clear head under pressure. Organisers in the US typically book speakers three to five months ahead, and Paris also delivers 30 to 45-minute virtual keynotes in your time zone.
Albuquerque’s economy and who the talk is for
Albuquerque has a population of about 564,559 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Other large venues in Albuquerque
Beyond the main conference halls, Albuquerque also has large venues for major events, including The Pit and Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
Paris is comfortable on any stage, from an arena to a boardroom, and can also host the main stage as MC. Event host and MC →
How a Grit Code session works
- Before the event, Paris speaks with the organiser about the audience and the outcome they want.
- On the day, the 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote mixes adventure film, stories and practical tools.
- Afterwards, teams can go deeper with a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day.
The content is shaped around Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
These are typical Albuquerque events for The Grit Code:
- Annual company conferences and town halls.
- Change and transformation programmes, including AI adoption.
- Safety, wellbeing and performance days for operations teams.
- Charity dinners and community events, which Paris knows well as an ambassador for Gulf for Good.
Credentials at a glance
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- 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.
Questions from Albuquerque organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Albuquerque?
Yes. Organisers in Albuquerque can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Can the talk suit scientific audiences?
Yes. A briefing call tailors it to long research timelines.
Has Paris spoken in the United States?
Yes. He delivered his keynote to the US Army at Fort Shafter, Pearl Harbor, in 2025 and has spoken at Surfbreak in Honolulu.
How far ahead should US events book Paris?
Organisers in the US typically book speakers three to five months ahead. Virtual keynotes can often be arranged at shorter notice.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Albuquerque?
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 Albuquerque?
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.
Check a date for Albuquerque
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.