Grit keynotes for Montreal conferences
Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city and a centre for aerospace, AI research and international organisations. Paris brings The Grit Code to its events.
Research, aerospace and culture
Montreal, in Quebec, is the largest French-speaking city in North America. It hosts ICAO, the UN aviation agency, and a strong AI research community.
Paris has spoken at the UN Tourism General Assembly and at international forums, and knows how to speak to mixed, multilingual rooms.
His stories come from 7 marathons on 7 continents and a 4,800 km Pacific row.
Who Paris speaks to in Montreal
Aerospace
Resilience for long programmes.
AI and research
Keynotes for research teams.
International organisations
Talks for multinational staff.
Universities
Talks for students.
Where Montreal meets
The Palais des congrès de Montréal hosts international conferences in the city centre.
- Palais des congrès de Montréal – in the city centre
- Old Montreal hotels – near the port
Ways to book Paris in Montreal
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.
Read the UN Tourism General Assembly recap. UN Tourism General Assembly recap · Keynote speaker Toronto
Speaking in Montreal, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Montreal, 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 Canada, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Montreal’s economy and who the talk is for
Montreal has a population of about 1,895,211 (2024 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Companies headquartered in Montreal include Air Canada (air transport), Via Rail (passenger rail transport), Eidos Montreal (video game industry), National Bank of Canada (economics of banking), Bombardier Recreational Products (automotive industry) and Dollarama (retail).
Aviation, transport and logistics (Air Canada and Via Rail). 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.
Technology and software (Eidos Montreal and CGI 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.
Banking and financial services (National Bank of Canada). 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.
Other large venues in Montreal
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Montreal venues include Mount Royal Arena, Centre Pierre Charbonneau and Monument-National.
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
- 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 Montreal 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.
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.
- 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.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Montreal?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Montreal, in person or virtually.
Does Paris present in French?
He presents in English. Organisers can arrange interpretation if the audience would benefit.
Which Montreal industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Montreal it suits aviation, transport and logistics, technology and software and banking and financial services 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 Montreal?
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 Montreal?
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 Montreal event
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More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact