Keynotes for Salford’s media city
Salford Quays went from working docks to the home of the BBC in the North. Paris, a TV presenter and producer, brings The Grit Code to its media and business teams.
From docks to broadcast
The Manchester Ship Canal docks at Salford opened in 1894. After they closed, the quays were rebuilt for leisure, culture and business.
MediaCityUK opened on Salford Quays from 2007. BBC departments including CBBC, BBC Sport and 5 Live moved there in 2011, and BBC Breakfast followed in 2012. ITV Granada and the University of Salford are also in the city.
Paris has made adventure TV seen in 123 countries, so a Salford media audience gets the view from behind the camera as well as the story.
Who Paris speaks to in Salford
Broadcast and production
Talks on storytelling under pressure.
University of Salford
Keynotes for students and staff.
Tech and creative firms
Resilience for start-up teams.
Rugby and sport
Endurance stories for clubs and athletes.
Where Salford meets
The Lowry and the MediaCityUK buildings host Salford’s conferences, launches and awards nights.
- The Lowry – two theatres and gallery spaces on Salford Quays, opened in 2000
- MediaCityUK – studios and event spaces beside the quays
- AJ Bell Stadium – home of Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils
Keynote, workshop or virtual
Most Salford organisers book the 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote. Teams that want depth add a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day, remote audiences get a 30–45 minute virtual version, and Paris can also host and moderate full-day events. 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.
Browse Paris’s TV shows and the film of his Pacific row. All TV shows · 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Manchester
How a booking works
Available for in-person events in Salford, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Salford’s economy and who the talk is for
Salford has a population of about 103,886 (2011 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
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 Salford 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 Salford
Organisers in Salford usually book Paris for one of these occasions:
- Annual company conferences and town halls.
- Change and transformation programmes, including AI adoption.
- Safety, wellbeing and performance days for operations teams.
- Charity dinners and community events, which Paris knows well as an ambassador for Gulf for Good.
Credentials at a glance
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- 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.
Formats, timing and next steps
Most organisers book a 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote with Q&A. Teams that want to go further add the Grit Deconstruction workshop, which runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the talk into habits and commitments the group can use on Monday morning.
A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences. Paris can also host the full day as MC, which keeps the tone consistent from the opening to the close. He is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, so the briefing call covers both the audience’s goals and the practical run-of-show.
Past 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. The talk 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 that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
To book, share the date, venue or virtual platform, audience size and the outcome you want. Paris replies with a short outline tailored to your room, then joins a briefing call before the event.
Common questions
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Salford?
Yes. Paris takes Salford bookings for keynotes, workshops and hosting, live or virtual.
Does Paris speak to broadcast and production teams?
Yes. As a TV presenter he can talk about filming in tough places and telling the story honestly.
Can Paris host an awards night at Salford Quays?
Yes. He works as host and MC as well as keynote speaker.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Salford?
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 Salford?
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.
How far in advance should we book?
Most organisers book between four and twelve weeks ahead. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible if the date is free, especially for virtual sessions.
Does Paris travel for in-person events?
Yes. He speaks at conferences and company events worldwide, in person or virtually, and shapes each talk around the local audience.
What does the briefing call cover?
Audience profile, the outcome you want, industry language to use or avoid, AV needs, and whether a workshop or MC role is part of the day.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact