Grit keynotes for Pittsburgh’s robotics and medical teams
Pittsburgh turned a steel economy into one built on robotics, healthcare and universities. Paris brings The Grit Code to that story of reinvention.
From steel to robotics
Pittsburgh, where three rivers meet, was once the heart of American steel.
Today Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and large health systems drive its economy.
Reinvention takes grit. Paris ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Who Paris speaks to in Pittsburgh
Robotics and AI
Keynotes for engineering teams.
Healthcare
Talks for health-system leaders.
Universities
Sessions for students and faculty.
Industry
Resilience for operations teams.
Where Pittsburgh meets
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center hosts tech, medical and trade events.
- David L. Lawrence Convention Center – on the Allegheny River
- Downtown hotel venues – in the Golden Triangle
Keynote, workshop or virtual
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 →
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 how Paris spoke about grit and change at Nokia. Nokia grit and change recap · Founders Dubai AI fireside chat
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Pittsburgh, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book US speakers three to five months ahead, and shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is worth asking.
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 Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh’s economy and who the talk is for
Pittsburgh has a population of about 302,971 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Companies headquartered in Pittsburgh include Kraft Heinz (fast-moving consumer goods), U.S. Steel (iron and steel industry), American Eagle Outfitters (clothing industry), PPG Industries (chemical product), Viatris (health care industry) and MSA Safety (personal protective equipment).
Manufacturing and engineering (Kraft Heinz, U.S. Steel and American Eagle Outfitters). Manufacturing and engineering audiences value process. The Grit Code breaks grit into habits that can be practised on a production line or a project site, using the discipline of a 4,800 km ocean row as the example.
Mining (Consol Energy). 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.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Pittsburgh’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as Chatham 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 Pittsburgh
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Pittsburgh venues include Joseph F. Weis, Jr. 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
These are typical Pittsburgh events for The Grit Code:
- Leadership offsites and strategy days, where senior teams need energy for a hard year ahead.
- Sales kick-offs and annual conferences, where the talk resets ambition and stamina.
- Awards nights and staff celebrations, where Paris can speak or host.
- Graduation, alumni and entrepreneurship events.
Credentials at a glance
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Paris takes Pittsburgh bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Does Paris speak about change?
Yes. He spoke to Nokia about grit and change management.
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 Pittsburgh industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Pittsburgh it suits manufacturing and engineering and mining audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Pittsburgh?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Chatham University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Pittsburgh?
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 Pittsburgh?
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