Grit keynotes for Dammam, Khobar and Dhahran
Greater Dammam is the heart of Saudi Arabia’s energy industry. Paris brings The Grit Code to events across Dammam, Khobar and Dhahran.
Where Saudi oil began
Commercial quantities of oil were first found in Saudi Arabia at Dammam No. 7, the “Prosperity Well”, in March 1938. Dhahran has been home to Saudi Aramco’s headquarters ever since.
Dammam is the largest city in the Eastern Province. The 25 km King Fahd Causeway links Khobar to Bahrain, and KFUPM in Dhahran grew from a 1963 petroleum college.
Paris has filmed his TV shows in AlUla, hosted shows at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and hosted the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh. Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East.
Who Paris speaks to in Dammam
Oil, gas and petrochemicals
Resilience for field, plant and office teams.
KFUPM and universities
Talks for students and researchers.
Industrial suppliers
Keynotes for supply-chain and operations teams.
Cultural programmes
Sessions for public audiences.
Rooms and stages
Dhahran Expo, Ithra and Khobar’s hotels host most of the region’s conferences and exhibitions.
- Dhahran Expo – the Eastern Province’s main exhibition centre
- Ithra – King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, with a theatre and halls
Pick the format
Most Dammam 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 →
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 the keynote overview, or Paris’s page for Riyadh, where he hosted the UN Tourism meeting. The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Riyadh
On stage or on screen
Available for in-person events in Dammam, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers in the Middle East typically book speakers one to two months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
Paris presents in English. Arabic interpretation or translated slides can be arranged by the organiser.
See also keynote speaker in Saudi Arabia, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Dammam’s economy and who the talk is for
Dammam has a population of about 903,312 (2010 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Students, graduates and faculty
Dammam’s universities, including Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal 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 →
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 Dammam 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
- 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.
- 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 Dammam?
Yes. He is available for Dammam conferences, offsites and leadership events, on site or online.
Does this page cover Khobar and Dhahran too?
Yes. Paris speaks at events across Greater Dammam, including Khobar and Dhahran.
Can the keynote suit energy-sector audiences?
Yes. A briefing call tailors it to the long projects and safety culture of your teams.
Does Paris speak at universities in Dammam?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Dammam?
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 Dammam?
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.
Has Paris spoken in Dammam before?
No. In Saudi Arabia he has spoken only in Riyadh (the UN Tourism meeting) and filmed in AlUla. Dammam pages are for organisers who want to book him.
Planning an event in Dammam?
Tell us about the room and the date. You can also book a call.