Grit keynotes for Phoenix conferences and teams
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and one of the largest cities in the United States. Paris brings The Grit Code to its conferences, companies and universities.
Endurance in the desert
Phoenix sits in the Sonoran Desert and is the capital of Arizona. Its fast-growing economy spans technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance.
Paris knows heat and long days: he ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, one of them in Dubai.
His clients include the US Army, DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz and IHG, and he has spoken at TEDx Amman, the UN Tourism General Assembly, COP28 and Expo 2020.
Who Paris speaks to in Phoenix
Sales kick-offs
Opening keynotes for teams starting a big year.
Semiconductor and tech
Resilience for engineering teams on long programmes.
Healthcare
Sessions for clinical and hospital leaders.
Universities
Talks for students and staff.
Where Phoenix meets
The Phoenix Convention Center and the resorts of the Valley host conferences and incentive events throughout the year.
- Phoenix Convention Center – downtown Phoenix
- Resort venues in Scottsdale – a short drive from downtown
Ways to book Paris in Phoenix
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 →
Stories with the miles behind them
Seven marathons in under six days
Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami: 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Across the Pacific by rowing boat
A 4,800 km row in 2023 that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
The same keynote has been delivered from the Roman Theatre in Amman to the US Army at Fort Shafter. The Grit Code keynote · US Army at Fort Shafter recap
Speaking in Phoenix, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Phoenix, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book US speakers three to five months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in the USA, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Phoenix’s economy and who the talk is for
Phoenix has a population of about 1,608,139 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Phoenix is the head-office city for organisations such as Freeport-McMoRan (mining), Avnet (electronics), Sprouts Farmers Market (grocery store), Republic Services (waste management), Mesa Air Group (aviation) and Southern Copper Corporation (mining).
Mining (Freeport-McMoRan and Southern Copper Corporation). Mining and resources teams work in tough environments where endurance matters. Paris’s stories from the Antarctic marathon and the Pacific row translate directly to remote-site and safety audiences.
Technology and software (Avnet). For software and tech companies, the talk focuses on resilience during constant change, including the shift to AI. As CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company, Paris speaks from inside that change rather than about it.
Aviation, transport and logistics (Mesa Air Group). 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.
Students, graduates and faculty
Phoenix’s universities, including University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and Arizona Christian University, 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 Phoenix
Beyond the main conference halls, Phoenix also has large venues for major events, including Mortgage Matchup Center, Global Credit Union Arena and Sandra Day O'Connor United States Courthouse.
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 Phoenix 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.
- 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.
- 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 Phoenix?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Phoenix, in person or virtually.
Is the keynote suited to sales teams?
Yes. The Grit Code is often booked to open sales kick-offs and leadership meetings, tailored in a briefing call.
Which Phoenix industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Phoenix it suits mining, technology and software and aviation, transport and logistics audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Phoenix?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Phoenix?
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 Phoenix?
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 Phoenix event
Share your date and audience, or book a call.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact