Grit keynotes for Sakhir’s circuit and campus
Sakhir is home to the Bahrain International Circuit, the University of Bahrain’s main campus and Exhibition World Bahrain. Paris brings The Grit Code to all three.
The first Middle East Grand Prix
The Bahrain International Circuit opened in 2004 and hosted the first Formula One race in the Middle East. It also stages 24-hour endurance races.
The University of Bahrain, founded in 1986, has its main campus in Sakhir and more than 30,000 students.
Sakhir hosts the Bahrain International Airshow, and Al Areen Wildlife Park is nearby. Paris’s TV work includes motorsport from F1 track coaching to drifting. Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East.
Who Paris speaks to in Sakhir
Teams and race organisers
Keynotes on pressure, pace and endurance.
University of Bahrain
Talks for students and staff.
Trade shows
Opening keynotes for exhibition audiences.
Airshow audiences
Sessions for aerospace teams.
Event venues
The circuit and Exhibition World Bahrain host Sakhir’s conferences, launches and race-week events.
- Bahrain International Circuit – hospitality suites and event space
- Exhibition World Bahrain – Bahrain’s exhibition and convention centre
Ways to book Paris in Sakhir
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.
Watch Paris’s motorsport episode of Guy in Dubai. F1, drifting and dune buggies episode · Keynote speaker Manama · The Grit Code keynote
Booking for Sakhir
Available for in-person events in Sakhir, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers in the Middle East typically book speakers one to two months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
Paris presents in English. Arabic interpretation or translated slides can be arranged by the organiser.
See also keynote speaker in Bahrain, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
A grit keynote for Bahrain’s event corridor
Sakhir sits at the heart of Bahrain’s major-event corridor, close to the Bahrain International Circuit and a short journey from Manama’s hotels and conference venues. Organisers booking a grit and resilience speaker for Sakhir usually want someone who can hold a mixed regional and international room.
Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. The Grit Code draws on the 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and on the 2023 Pacific row of 4,800 km. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries.
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly. He has spent 17 years working, filming and exploring across the Gulf.
Motorsport, corporate and hospitality
- Corporate conferences linked to the Sakhir event calendar.
- Hospitality and tourism gatherings.
- Leadership offsites and sales kick-offs.
- Association and industry meetings hosted in Bahrain.
Formats include a 45–60 minute keynote, a virtual version, and the Grit Deconstruction workshop. Paris can also host as MC.
Bahrain and the wider Gulf
See also the Bahrain city pages on this site and all keynote speaker locations. Paris speaks across the Gulf in person or virtually.
Credentials and formats
Paris is a regular host of AI Talks by Founders, has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh, and was a brand ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel. He is an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good.
Bookings can include the keynote alone, the keynote plus workshop, or hosting as MC. He grew up at Longleat, studied at Edinburgh University, lived in Muscat from 2009 to 2012, and has spent 17 years in the Gulf.
Questions from Sakhir organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Sakhir?
Yes. Organisers in Sakhir can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Can Paris speak during race week?
Yes. He can deliver a keynote or host a hospitality event around the Grand Prix.
Does Paris speak at the University of Bahrain?
Yes. Student sessions focus on perseverance and setting big goals.
Does Paris speak in Sakhir and Bahrain?
Yes. He speaks at conferences and company events in Bahrain, in person or virtually.
Is a workshop available?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.
Can Paris host as MC?
Yes.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Does Paris know the Gulf?
Yes. He has spent 17 years working, filming and exploring across the Gulf.
Check a date for Sakhir
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.