Resilience keynotes for Glasgow conferences and Scottish teams
Glasgow hosted COP26 in 2021. Paris spoke at COP28, and brings The Grit Code and his marine-conservation story to Glasgow’s conference scene.
From COP26 to your conference
The Scottish Event Campus on the River Clyde, with the OVO Hydro arena, is Scotland’s largest events venue. It hosted the COP26 climate conference in 2021, and Glasgow hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Paris spoke at COP28, and his 2023 Pacific row raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation, a natural fit for sustainability-minded audiences.
He studied at the University of Edinburgh, so Scotland is familiar ground. His straight-talking, British-born style suits Glasgow rooms.
Who Paris speaks to in Glasgow
Climate and energy
Keynotes for renewables and sustainability teams.
Conferences
Main-stage sessions at the SEC.
Public bodies
Talks on perseverance for public-service teams.
Sport and events
Endurance stories for sporting organisations.
Where Glasgow meets
The SEC hosts international conferences, and hosted COP26 in 2021.
- Scottish Event Campus – including the SEC Centre, SEC Armadillo and OVO Hydro
- City-centre hotel venues – around George Square and the Merchant City
Ways to book Paris in Glasgow
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 →
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.
Paris’s ocean row raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation. 39 days at sea · Keynote speaker Edinburgh
Speaking in Glasgow, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Glasgow, 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.
Glasgow’s economy and who the talk is for
Glasgow has a population of about 626,410 (2018 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Companies headquartered in Glasgow include Weir Group (mechanical engineering), Aggreko (distributed generation) and STV Group (mass media).
Manufacturing and engineering (Weir Group). 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.
Media and entertainment (STV Group). Media and entertainment audiences get a speaker who works in their world. Paris created and hosted Guy in Dubai, which has 22 million views, and his shows have been distributed in 123 countries.
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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow
Organisers in Glasgow 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
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Glasgow?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Glasgow, in person or virtually.
Has Paris spoken at climate events?
Yes. He spoke at COP28, and his Pacific row raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
What notice do Glasgow organisers usually give?
About three months is typical for UK events; ask about sooner dates.
Does Paris have a connection to Scotland?
Yes. He studied at the University of Edinburgh.
Which Glasgow industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Glasgow it suits manufacturing and engineering and media and entertainment 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 Glasgow?
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 Glasgow?
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 Glasgow event
Share your date and audience, or book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact