Grit keynotes for Istanbul, the city between two continents
Istanbul spans Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus. Paris, who has run on seven continents, brings The Grit Code to its conferences.
Where continents meet
Istanbul is Türkiye’s largest city and economic centre, straddling the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. Istanbul Airport is one of the busiest in the world, and Turkish Airlines is headquartered in the city.
Paris ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and rowed 4,800 km of the Pacific. His stories suit a city built on connection.
Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East. He understands the wider region’s business culture.
Who Paris speaks to in Istanbul
Aviation and logistics
Talks for teams in one of the world’s great hubs.
Regional headquarters
Conferences for teams covering Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Tourism
Keynotes for hospitality and travel businesses.
Banking
Offsites for financial teams.
Where Istanbul meets
Istanbul hosts international congresses and trade fairs across the year.
- Istanbul Congress Center – in Harbiye, near Taksim
- Istanbul Expo Center – near the city’s older airport area
Ways to book Paris in Istanbul
Most Istanbul 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 Grit Code keynote. The Grit Code keynote · Past speaking events
Speaking in Istanbul, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Istanbul, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
Talks are delivered in English; an interpreter can be arranged by the organiser where helpful.
See also keynote speaker in Europe, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Istanbul’s economy and who the talk is for
Istanbul has a population of about 15,655,924 (2023 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Istanbul include Turkish Airlines (aviation), Pegasus Airlines (air transport), Turkcell (mobile phone industry), Ülker (food industry), Koç Holding (conglomerate) and Arçelik (consumer electronics industry).
Aviation, transport and logistics (Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines). 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.
Banking and financial services (İşbank and VakıfBank). 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.
Telecoms (Turkcell). Telecoms businesses run networks that can never stop. Paris has spoken for Nokia, and his message on steady, disciplined effort under pressure suits network, sales and customer teams alike.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Istanbul’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as Istanbul Kent University, İstinye University and Istanbul Health and Technology 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 →
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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul
In Istanbul, the most common bookings fall into a few groups:
- Annual company conferences and town halls.
- Change and transformation programmes, including AI adoption.
- Safety, wellbeing and performance days for operations teams.
- Charity dinners and community events, which Paris knows well as an ambassador for Gulf for Good.
Credentials at a glance
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- 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.
- 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 Istanbul?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Istanbul, in person or virtually.
Does Paris present in Turkish?
He presents in English. Organisers can arrange an interpreter if needed.
How far ahead should we book?
About three months ahead is typical.
Does Paris know the region?
Yes. Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East.
Which Istanbul industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Istanbul it suits aviation, transport and logistics, banking and financial services and telecoms audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Istanbul?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Istanbul Kent University and İstinye University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Istanbul?
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 Istanbul?
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 Istanbul event
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More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact