Grit keynotes for Amsterdam’s international teams
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, hosts the European headquarters of many international companies. Paris brings The Grit Code to its conferences.
International by default
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. RAI Amsterdam hosts large conferences and trade fairs throughout the year.
Multinational teams need a shared language for resilience. The Grit Code gives them one, delivered in English.
Paris has spoken for multinational audiences including DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz and IHG.
Who Paris speaks to in Amsterdam
Tech
Keynotes for product and engineering teams.
European headquarters
Sessions for regional leaders.
Logistics
Resilience for operations teams.
Trade fairs
Main-stage keynotes.
Where Amsterdam meets
RAI Amsterdam hosts international conferences and trade fairs.
- RAI Amsterdam – in the south of the city
- Canal-district venues – in the city centre
Ways to book Paris in Amsterdam
The Grit Code keynote (45–60 min) · Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day) · virtual keynote (30–45 min) · event host and MC. 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.
Read the Kraft Heinz recap. Kraft Heinz leadership convention recap · Keynote speaker Berlin
Speaking in Amsterdam, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Amsterdam, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
Talks are delivered in English; an interpreter can be arranged by the organiser where helpful.
See also keynote speaker in Europe, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Amsterdam’s economy and who the talk is for
Amsterdam has a population of about 921,468 (2023 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Amsterdam is the head-office city for organisations such as Koninklijke Philips NV (consumer electronics industry), Heineken International (beverage industry), Stellantis (automotive industry), Elsevier (publishing), ING Group (economics of banking) and ABN AMRO (economics of banking).
Banking and financial services (ING Group and ABN AMRO). Financial services teams often ask for a keynote that respects their intelligence. The Grit Code uses real numbers (5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes for 7 marathons; 4,800 km rowed) to show how high performers manage risk, fatigue and decision-making under pressure.
Energy and resources (Koninklijke Philips NV). Energy teams live with long project cycles, price shocks and safety-critical work. The Grit Code gives operations and project leaders a shared language for staying steady when a plan meets reality, which is the same discipline that kept four rowers moving across 4,800 km of the Pacific.
Manufacturing and engineering (Heineken International). Manufacturing and engineering audiences value process. The Grit Code breaks grit into habits that can be practised on a production line or a project site, using the discipline of a 4,800 km ocean row as the example.
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 Amsterdam 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.
Credentials at a glance
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- 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.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Amsterdam?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Amsterdam, in person or virtually.
Does Paris present in Dutch?
He presents in English. Organisers can arrange interpretation if needed.
Which Amsterdam industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Amsterdam it suits banking and financial services, energy and resources and manufacturing and engineering audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Amsterdam?
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 Amsterdam?
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.
Bring grit to your next Amsterdam event
Share your date and audience, or book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact