Keynote Speaker Locations – Countries & Cities

Use a country hub when you are comparing cities or booking a multi-city tour. Use a city page when the venue and audience are already set. Every page explains The Grit Code, formats and credentials, then links back here for the wider map.

Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. He speaks in person or virtually in your local time zone. The talk draws on the 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and on the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km.

What every booking includes

Briefing, keynote and options

A briefing call on audience, sector and outcome.
A 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote with Q&A, or a 30–45 minute virtual version.
Optional Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day.
Optional hosting as MC for the full day.

Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.

Credentials that travel

Why organisers book Paris worldwide

7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
TV distribution in 123 countries.
CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
Regular host of AI Talks by Founders; hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh.

More context

Credentials and formats

Paris is a regular host of AI Talks by Founders, has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh, and was a brand ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel. He is an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good.

Bookings can include the keynote alone, the keynote plus workshop, or hosting as MC. He grew up at Longleat, studied at Edinburgh University, lived in Muscat from 2009 to 2012, and has spent 17 years in the Gulf.

Not listed?

Your city, your event

More city pages are on the way. Wherever your event is, get in touch with the date and audience. See past speaking events or book a call.

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Background

Expeditions, television and business

Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, starting in Antarctica and finishing in Miami, with Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid and Fortaleza in between. In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.

His television work includes Guy in Dubai, which has 22 million views, and shows distributed in 123 countries. He has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh, and he is a regular host of AI Talks by Founders. He grew up at Longleat, studied finance at Edinburgh University, lived in Muscat from 2009 to 2012, and has spent 17 years in the Gulf.

Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. Organisers can book The Grit Code as a 45–60 minute keynote, a 30–45 minute virtual version, or with a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day. Paris can also host the day as MC.

FAQ

Common questions

What challenges does Paris draw on?

The 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km.

Does Paris still present television?

Yes. His shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and he is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios.

How do we book him?

Share the date, format and audience. He replies with a short outline and holds a briefing call before the event.

Is a workshop available?

Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.

Who has Paris spoken for?

Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.

Where Paris speaks

Middle East

Europe

North America

Latin America

Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean

Africa

Country hubs and city pages