Grit keynotes for Bogotá conferences and leadership teams
Bogotá sits high in the Andes, at about 2,640 metres, one of the highest capital cities in the world. Paris brings endurance stories to its business community.
A capital in the Andes
Bogotá is Colombia’s capital and largest city, at around 2,640 metres above sea level. It is the country’s main business centre and home to the Colombian Stock Exchange.
Paris ran seven marathons on seven continents and rowed 4,800 km of the Pacific, the same ocean that washes Colombia’s west coast.
Fast-growing companies and start-ups in Bogotá need people who keep going through setbacks. The Grit Code gives them practical tools.
Who Paris speaks to in Bogotá
Corporate
Conferences for national and regional teams.
Start-ups
Talks for founders and accelerators.
Banking
Offsites for financial teams.
Congresses
Main-stage keynotes at Bogotá venues.
Where Bogotá meets
Corferias and Ágora Bogotá host trade fairs and congresses throughout the year.
- Corferias – the international exhibition centre
- Ágora Bogotá – the convention centre next to Corferias
Ways to book Paris in Bogotá
Most Bogotá organisers book the 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote. Teams that want depth add a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day, remote audiences get a 30–45 minute virtual version, and Paris can also host and moderate full-day events. 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. 39 days at sea · Keynote speaker Colombia
Speaking in Bogotá, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Bogotá, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, and shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is worth asking.
Paris speaks in English, and organisers can add interpretation for the audience if needed.
See also keynote speaker in Colombia, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Bogotá’s economy and who the talk is for
Bogotá has a population of about 8,034,649 (2024 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Bogotá include Ecopetrol (petroleum industry), Bank of Bogota (economics of banking), Corficolombiana (financial services) and Claro Colombia (mobile phone industry).
Banking and financial services (Bank of Bogota and Corficolombiana). Banking and finance audiences respond to evidence. Paris frames grit as a measurable habit rather than a personality trait, and links it to the pressure of targets, regulation and market swings that finance teams face every quarter.
Energy and resources (Ecopetrol). For energy and resources businesses, grit is about consistency over decades-long assets. Paris shows how small, repeatable routines beat bursts of motivation, using the 7 marathons on 7 continents as the case study.
Telecoms (Claro Colombia). Telecoms businesses run networks that can never stop. Paris has spoken for Nokia, and his message on steady, disciplined effort under pressure suits network, sales and customer teams alike.
Students, graduates and faculty
Bogotá’s universities, including University of the Andes, Universidad Externado de Colombia and National Pedagogic University, make it a strong market for student, graduate and alumni events. Paris speaks to young audiences about effort, setbacks and choosing hard goals, and to faculty about building resilient teams.
Typical formats include welcome weeks, graduation events, entrepreneurship programmes and alumni dinners. University keynote speaker →
Other large venues in Bogotá
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Bogotá venues include Coliseo Cubierto El Campín.
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
- Paris starts with a short briefing call to understand the room, the sector and the challenge in front of it.
- The keynote uses film from his expeditions and TV work to make each idea concrete.
- Many organisers pair it with a Grit Deconstruction workshop or ask Paris to host the full day.
The content is shaped around Bogotá 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 Bogotá
Organisers in Bogotá usually book Paris for one of these occasions:
- Kick-off meetings for new financial years, projects or teams.
- Industry association conferences and trade-show main stages.
- Executive retreats that pair the keynote with a Grit Deconstruction workshop.
- Hybrid all-hands meetings with a virtual version for remote staff.
Credentials at a glance
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Bogotá?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Bogotá, in person or virtually.
Does Paris present in Spanish?
He presents in English. Organisers can arrange an interpreter if needed.
How far ahead should we book?
About three months ahead is typical.
Can Paris speak to start-up audiences?
Yes. He has spoken for founder communities including Creative Zone and OPUS.
Which Bogotá industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Bogotá it suits banking and financial services, energy and resources and telecoms audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Bogotá?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as University of the Andes and Universidad Externado de Colombia, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Bogotá?
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 Bogotá?
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.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact