Resilience keynotes for Brisbane conferences
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Paris brings The Grit Code to its conferences and teams.
A city preparing
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and has been chosen to host the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Preparing for a goal years away is exactly what grit is: passion and perseverance for long-term goals.
Paris tells stories from 7 marathons on 7 continents, including Perth, and a 4,800 km Pacific row.
Brisbane sits on the Brisbane River in south-east Queensland, and its South Bank cultural precinct is home to the city’s main convention centre.
Who Paris speaks to in Brisbane
Government
Sessions for teams on long programmes.
Sport
Keynotes for sport organisations.
Conferences
Main-stage keynotes.
Universities
Talks for students.
Where Brisbane meets
The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre hosts conferences at South Bank.
- Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre – at South Bank
- River hotels – in the CBD
Ways to book Paris in Brisbane
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 →
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 Paris’s other Australian pages. Keynote speaker Perth · Keynote speaker Melbourne
Speaking in Brisbane, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Brisbane, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in Australia, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Brisbane’s economy and who the talk is for
Brisbane has a population of about 2,706,966 (2023 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Brisbane include Suncorp Group (general insurance), Aurizon (rail freight transport), Michael Hill Jeweller (jewelry), Australian Agricultural Company (animal husbandry) and Bank of Queensland (economics of banking).
Banking and financial services (Suncorp Group and Bank of Queensland). 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.
Aviation, transport and logistics (Aurizon). Logistics and transport audiences understand relentless schedules. Paris’s past clients include DHL, and the keynote draws on what it takes to keep going when every hour counts.
Retail and consumer goods (Michael Hill Jeweller). Retail and consumer brands live and die by execution. Paris has spoken for Kraft Heinz and Al Kabeer Foods, and the keynote helps sales and store teams keep going through peak seasons and tough trading.
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 Brisbane 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
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- 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.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Brisbane?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Brisbane, in person or virtually.
Is the keynote suited to sport organisations?
Yes. It is built on endurance events and tailored in a briefing call.
Which Brisbane industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Brisbane it suits banking and financial services, aviation, transport and logistics and retail and consumer goods 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 Brisbane?
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 Brisbane?
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 Brisbane event
Share your date and audience, or book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact