Grit keynotes on the south coast
Brighton and Hove has hosted the country’s party conferences for decades and is home to a busy digital and creative sector. Paris brings The Grit Code to its stages.
Seaside resort, conference city
Brighton grew as a Georgian seaside resort; George IV’s Royal Pavilion and the Palace Pier of 1899 still define the seafront.
Brighton and Hove was granted city status in 2001 as a millennium city. Its economy leans on creative, digital and electronic technologies.
The Brighton Centre has been a purpose-built conference venue since 1977 and regularly hosts the UK political parties.
Who Paris speaks to in Brighton
Digital and creative agencies
Resilience for fast-moving teams.
National conferences
Keynotes that open or close a congress.
Universities of Brighton and Sussex
Talks for students and staff.
Hotels and tourism
Sessions for service teams.
Rooms and stages
The Brighton Centre and the seafront hotels host national congresses, party conferences and company kick-offs.
- Brighton Centre – the largest conference centre in southern England, for up to 5,000 delegates
- Hilton Brighton Metropole – a Victorian seafront hotel
- The Grand Brighton – the seafront hotel opened in 1864
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 →
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.
See past speaking events and how The Grit Code works on stage. Past speaking events · The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker London
On stage or on screen
Available for in-person events in Brighton, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Brighton’s economy and who the talk is for
Brighton has a population of about 134,293 (2001 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Companies headquartered in Brighton include The Chinese Room (video game industry).
Technology and software (The Chinese Room). For software and tech companies, the talk focuses on resilience during constant change, including the shift to AI. As CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company, Paris speaks from inside that change rather than about it.
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 Brighton 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
- 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.
- Past speaking 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.
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 Brighton?
Yes. He is available for Brighton conferences, offsites and leadership events, on site or online.
Can Paris open or close a conference at the Brighton Centre?
Yes. The Grit Code is designed as an opening or closing keynote for large audiences.
Does Paris speak to digital agencies?
Yes. He can tailor the talk to deadlines, pitching and creative pressure.
Which Brighton industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Brighton it suits technology and software 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 Brighton?
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 Brighton?
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 Brighton?
Tell us about the room and the date. You can also book a call.