Grit by the Yellow Sea
Qingdao gave the world Tsingtao beer, is home to Haier and Hisense, and hosted the 2008 Olympic sailing. Paris brings The Grit Code to its teams.
Beer, appliances and Olympic sailing
Tsingtao Brewery was founded in 1903 as an Anglo-German venture and makes China’s best-known export beer. Haier and Hisense are also based in Qingdao.
The World Bank ranked Qingdao one of China’s six “golden cities” in 2006, and its GDP passed ¥1.2 trillion in 2018.
Qingdao hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in 2018 and is the headquarters of the Chinese navy’s northern fleet.
Who Paris speaks to in Qingdao
Appliance and electronics makers
Keynotes for engineering and sales teams.
Brewing and consumer brands
Talks for marketing and operations staff.
Shipping and ocean science
Sessions on endurance at sea.
Clubs and regattas
Talks for crews and sponsors.
Where Qingdao meets
Qingdao’s events use the sailing centre, the waterfront hotels and the company campuses of its big brands.
- Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center – built for the 2008 Olympics, later a stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race and the Clipper Race
- Tsingtao Brewery – founded in 1903 and still based in the city
- Waterfront hotels – along the city’s bays
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 →
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.
Paris rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific for marine conservation. Watch the film. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Shanghai
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Qingdao, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
Talks are delivered in English; an interpreter can be arranged by the organiser where helpful.
See also keynote speaker in China, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Qingdao’s economy and who the talk is for
Qingdao has a population of about 10,071,722 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Companies headquartered in Qingdao include Hisense (consumer electronics industry), Haier (consumer electronics industry) and Tsingtao Brewery (brewing industry).
Technology and software (Hisense and Haier). 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.
Manufacturing and engineering (Tsingtao Brewery). 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.
Students, graduates and faculty
Qingdao’s universities, including Qingdao University, Qingdao University of Science and Technology and Qingdao University of Technology, 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 Qingdao
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Qingdao venues include Guoxin Gymnasium and Qingdao University Gymnasium.
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 Qingdao 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 Qingdao
In Qingdao, the most common bookings fall into a few groups:
- 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 ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- 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.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Qingdao?
Yes. Paris takes Qingdao bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Can Paris speak at a sailing or ocean event in Qingdao?
Yes. His Pacific row raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation and suits marine audiences.
Does Paris speak to appliance and consumer brands?
Yes. He tailors the keynote to engineering, sales and marketing teams.
Which Qingdao industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Qingdao it suits technology and software and 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 Qingdao?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Qingdao University and Qingdao University of Science and Technology, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Qingdao?
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 Qingdao?
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