Resilience keynotes for Indianapolis conventions and life sciences
Indianapolis hosts the Indianapolis 500 and some of the busiest conventions in the Midwest. Paris brings The Grit Code to its stages.
Racing city
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Indianapolis 500 every May, one of the best-known races in the world.
Eli Lilly is headquartered in the city, anchoring a strong life-sciences sector.
The Indiana Convention Center connects to Lucas Oil Stadium, so the city regularly hosts large national conventions.
Who Paris speaks to in Indianapolis
Pharma and life sciences
Resilience for research teams on long timelines.
Sport and motorsport
Endurance stories for sporting organisations.
National conventions
Main-stage keynotes.
Leadership teams
Sessions for senior leaders.
Event venues
The Indiana Convention Center hosts large national conventions throughout the year.
- Indiana Convention Center – downtown, linked to Lucas Oil Stadium
- Downtown hotels – connected by skywalks
Ways to book Paris in Indianapolis
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 →
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.
Paris has tried motorsport and powerboat racing on his TV series. Motorsport episode · The Grit Code keynote
Booking for Indianapolis
Available for in-person events in Indianapolis, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book US speakers three to five months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in the USA, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
An adventurer with American chapters
Paris Norriss's biggest adventure ended in the United States. With the Brothers N Oars crew he rowed 4,800 km from California to Hawaii in 39 days, 4 hours and 28 minutes, as part of a self-supported, unassisted team in the World's Toughest Row. The row raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation, and Paris went on to live in Hawaii for three months.
In 2025 he delivered his keynote to the US Army at Fort Shafter, Pearl Harbor, and he has spoken at Surfbreak in Honolulu. Miami was one of the stops when he ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
For Indianapolis conferences, sales kick-offs and leadership offsites, The Grit Code turns those experiences into practical habits: purpose, vision, challenging limiting beliefs, adapting the plan and keeping a clear head under pressure. Organisers in the US typically book speakers three to five months ahead, and Paris also delivers 30 to 45-minute virtual keynotes in your time zone.
Indianapolis’s economy and who the talk is for
Indianapolis has a population of about 887,642 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Indianapolis include Eli Lilly and Company (pharmaceutical industry), Elevance Health, Inc. (health insurance), Republic Airways Holdings (transport) and Emmis Communications (broadcasting).
Manufacturing and engineering (Eli Lilly and Company). For industrial and engineering businesses, Paris’s message is that resilience is built, not born. Safety days, operations conferences and leadership offsites are typical bookings.
Banking and financial services (Elevance Health, Inc.). 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.
Aviation, transport and logistics (Republic Airways Holdings). 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.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Indianapolis’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, University of Indianapolis and Martin University. Paris’s talks for students and graduates focus on grit as a skill that can be learned, using his own expeditions as evidence.
Typical formats include welcome weeks, graduation events, entrepreneurship programmes and alumni dinners. University keynote speaker →
Other large venues in Indianapolis
Beyond the main conference halls, Indianapolis also has large venues for major events, including Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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
- 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, the most common bookings fall into a few groups:
- Leadership offsites and strategy days, where senior teams need energy for a hard year ahead.
- Sales kick-offs and annual conferences, where the talk resets ambition and stamina.
- Awards nights and staff celebrations, where Paris can speak or host.
- Graduation, alumni and entrepreneurship events.
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.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Questions from Indianapolis organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Indianapolis?
Yes. Organisers in Indianapolis can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Does the keynote suit large conventions?
Yes. The Grit Code is built for main stages as well as smaller leadership rooms.
Has Paris spoken in the United States?
Yes. He delivered his keynote to the US Army at Fort Shafter, Pearl Harbor, in 2025 and has spoken at Surfbreak in Honolulu.
How far ahead should US events book Paris?
Organisers in the US typically book speakers three to five months ahead. Virtual keynotes can often be arranged at shorter notice.
Which Indianapolis industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Indianapolis it suits manufacturing and engineering, banking and financial services and aviation, transport and logistics audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Indianapolis?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and University of Indianapolis, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Indianapolis?
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 Indianapolis?
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.
Check a date for Indianapolis
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.