Grit keynotes for Orlando conventions and hospitality
Orlando is home to some of the world’s best-known theme parks and one of the largest convention centres in the US. Paris brings The Grit Code to its events.
Hospitality on a huge scale
Orlando is one of the most visited cities in the US, with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. The Orange County Convention Center is one of the largest in the country.
Paris has spoken for hospitality companies including IHG, and at the UN Tourism General Assembly.
His stories come from 7 marathons on 7 continents, including Miami, and a 4,800 km Pacific row.
Who Paris speaks to in Orlando
Hotels and resorts
Keynotes for hospitality leaders and teams.
Tourism
Talks for the visitor economy.
Conventions
Main-stage keynotes.
Incentive events
Keynotes for reward trips.
Where Orlando meets
The Orange County Convention Center and resort hotels host large conventions year-round.
- Orange County Convention Center – on International Drive
- Resort convention venues – across Orlando
Ways to book Paris in Orlando
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 →
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.
Read the IHG Ignite recap. IHG Ignite recap · Keynote speaker Miami
Speaking in Orlando, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Orlando, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book US speakers three to five months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred 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 Orlando 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.
Orlando’s economy and who the talk is for
Orlando has a population of about 334,854 (2024 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Orlando include Olive Garden (system catering), Hilton Grand Vacations (timeshare), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (business and professional associations, unions) and United Parks & Resorts (leisure park industry).
Manufacturing and engineering (United Parks & Resorts). 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.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Orlando’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and International Vedic Hindu 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 Orlando
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Orlando venues include Kia Center.
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 Orlando 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 Orlando
Organisers in Orlando usually book Paris for one of these occasions:
- 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
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- 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.
- 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 Orlando?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Orlando, in person or virtually.
Has Paris spoken to hospitality companies?
Yes. He delivered the keynote at IHG Ignite and spoke at the UN Tourism General Assembly.
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 Orlando industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Orlando it suits manufacturing and engineering audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Orlando?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and International Vedic Hindu University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Orlando?
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 Orlando?
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 Orlando event
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More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact