Grit keynotes in Madrid, a marathon city
Madrid was one of the seven cities in Paris’s seven marathons on seven continents. He brings that story back to Madrid’s conference halls.
One of the seven marathons
Paris ran seven marathons on seven continents (Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami) in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes. Madrid was the European leg.
Madrid is Spain’s capital and business centre, home to the headquarters of companies such as Telefónica, and to IFEMA Madrid, one of Europe’s largest trade-fair organisers.
For Spanish and international teams, the keynote turns that marathon story into practical tools for purpose, limiting beliefs and adapting the plan.
Who Paris speaks to in Madrid
Corporate headquarters
Conferences and kick-offs for national and international teams.
Sport and running
Endurance stories for sport brands and clubs.
Tourism
Talks for travel and hospitality businesses.
Sales kick-offs
A strong start to the year.
Where Madrid meets
IFEMA Madrid hosts major trade fairs, including FITUR, one of the world’s leading tourism fairs.
- IFEMA Madrid – the trade-fair complex near Barajas
- Hotel and congress venues – around Castellana and the city centre
Ways to book Paris in Madrid
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.
See The Grit Code and Paris’s past events. The Grit Code keynote · IHG Ignite: 7 marathons, 7 continents
Speaking in Madrid, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Madrid, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
Paris presents in English. Organisers can arrange an interpreter if the audience would benefit.
See also keynote speaker in Europe, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Madrid’s economy and who the talk is for
Madrid has a population of about 3,506,730 (2025 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Madrid include International Airlines Group (air travel), Amadeus IT Group (computer programming), Navantia (arms industry), Naturgy (public utility), Endesa (energy industry) and Ferrovial (transport).
Aviation, transport and logistics (International Airlines Group and Ferrovial). Aviation, transport and logistics teams work around the clock and against the clock. Paris has spoken for DHL and Dubai Airports, and his record-breaking marathon challenge, run to a tight timetable across seven continents, is a natural fit for operations audiences.
Energy and resources (Naturgy and Endesa). Energy teams live with long project cycles, price shocks and safety-critical work. The Grit Code gives operations and project leaders a shared language for staying steady when a plan meets reality, which is the same discipline that kept four rowers moving across 4,800 km of the Pacific.
Technology and software (Amadeus IT Group). Technology teams ship, fail, learn and ship again. Paris connects that loop to life on an ocean rowing boat, where a broken plan is normal and the crew that adapts fastest wins. It suits engineering all-hands, product kick-offs and AI transformation programmes.
Students, graduates and faculty
Madrid’s universities, including Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, National University of Distance Education and Residencia de Señoritas, 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 →
Other large venues in Madrid
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Madrid venues include Palacio de Justicia.
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
- 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 Madrid 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 Madrid
These are typical Madrid events for The Grit Code:
- 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
- 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.
- 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 Madrid?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Madrid, in person or virtually.
Has Paris been to Madrid before?
Yes. He ran a marathon in Madrid as part of seven marathons on seven continents.
Does Paris present in Spanish?
He presents in English. Organisers can arrange an interpreter if needed.
How far ahead should we book?
About three months ahead is typical.
Which Madrid industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Madrid it suits aviation, transport and logistics, energy and resources and technology and software audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Madrid?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and National University of Distance Education, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Madrid?
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 Madrid?
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.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact