Grit keynotes for Sacramento’s public-sector leaders
Sacramento is the capital of California. Paris brings The Grit Code to state agencies, associations and companies in the city.
The state capital
Sacramento has been California’s capital since 1854 and sits where the American River meets the Sacramento River.
State government, healthcare and associations based near the Capitol make it a city of long policy cycles and public service.
Grit, passion and perseverance for long-term goals, suits teams delivering programmes that take years.
Who Paris speaks to in Sacramento
State government
Keynotes for agency leaders.
Trade associations
Main-stage sessions.
Healthcare
Talks for health-system teams.
Agriculture
Sessions for food and farming organisations.
Where Sacramento meets
The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center hosts association and government conferences.
- SAFE Credit Union Convention Center – downtown
- Capitol-area hotels – near the State Capitol
Keynote, workshop or virtual
Choose the flagship Grit Code keynote (45–60 min), a Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day), a 30–45 min virtual keynote, or Paris as host and MC for the day. 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.
Read the UN Tourism General Assembly recap. UN Tourism General Assembly recap · Keynote speaker San Francisco
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento 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.
Sacramento’s economy and who the talk is for
Sacramento has a population of about 524,943 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Sacramento’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as California State University, Sacramento and University of Sacramento. 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 Sacramento
Beyond the main conference halls, Sacramento also has large venues for major events, including ARCO Arena and ARCO Arena I.
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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
These are typical Sacramento 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
- 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.
- 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.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Sacramento?
Yes. Paris takes Sacramento bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Does Paris speak to government audiences?
Yes. He has spoken at the UN Tourism General Assembly and for the US Army.
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.
Does Paris speak at universities in Sacramento?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as California State University, Sacramento and University of Sacramento, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Sacramento?
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 Sacramento?
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