Grit for China’s hardware capital
Shenzhen became China’s first special economic zone in the early 1980s and is now home to Huawei, Tencent, DJI and BYD. Paris brings The Grit Code to its teams.
A special economic zone that kept building
Deng Xiaoping’s reforms made Shenzhen China’s first special economic zone in the early 1980s, drawing foreign investment because it borders Hong Kong.
Huawei, Tencent, DJI and Oppo grew here, and BYD’s main operations make Shenzhen China’s largest car-manufacturing city. The media call it “the Silicon Valley of hardware”.
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange opened in 1990, and Huaqiangbei is a wholesale hub for smartphones and electronics.
Who Paris speaks to in Shenzhen
Hardware and software
Keynotes on iteration and setbacks.
Electronics and EVs
Resilience for production teams.
Founders and accelerators
Talks on persistence.
Regional offices
Leadership meetings.
Event venues
Trade fairs fill the convention centre in Futian; company events usually use hotels in Futian and Nanshan.
- Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center – in Futian’s business district, the largest single building in the city
- Futian and Nanshan hotels – for company meetings
Ways to book Paris in Shenzhen
Options: keynote, 45 to 60 minutes · workshop, 90 minutes up to half a day · virtual session, 30 to 45 minutes · host or MC for your event. 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.
See the Hong Kong page, just across the border, or read The Grit Code. Keynote speaker Hong Kong · The Grit Code keynote · Keynote speaker Guangzhou
Booking for Shenzhen
Available for in-person events in Shenzhen, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, and shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is worth asking.
Paris speaks in English, and organisers can add interpretation for the audience if needed.
See also keynote speaker in China, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Shenzhen’s economy and who the talk is for
Shenzhen has a population of about 17,494,398 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Shenzhen is the head-office city for organisations such as Huawei (electronics industry), ZTE (telecommunications industry), OnePlus (telecommunications industry), BYD Auto (automotive industry), DJI (electronics) and Evergrande Group (real estate development).
Technology and software (Huawei, DJI and Transsion Holdings). Technology teams ship, fail, learn and ship again. Paris connects that loop to life on an ocean rowing boat, where a broken plan is normal and the crew that adapts fastest wins. It suits engineering all-hands, product kick-offs and AI transformation programmes.
Telecoms (ZTE and OnePlus). Telecoms businesses run networks that can never stop. Paris has spoken for Nokia, and his message on steady, disciplined effort under pressure suits network, sales and customer teams alike.
Automotive (BYD Auto). Automotive teams balance engineering precision with commercial pressure. Paris was a brand ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, and the keynote shows how grit turns long development cycles and tough sales targets into steady progress.
Students, graduates and faculty
Shenzhen’s universities, including Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology and Shenzhen University of Advanced 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 →
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 Shenzhen 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.
Credentials at a glance
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Questions from Shenzhen organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Shenzhen?
Yes. Organisers in Shenzhen can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Does Paris speak to technology and hardware teams?
Yes. He talks about failure, iteration and keeping going when a plan breaks.
Does Paris speak at startup events?
Yes. Founders relate to his stories of starting again after setbacks.
Which Shenzhen industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Shenzhen it suits technology and software, telecoms and automotive audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Shenzhen?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Shenzhen University and Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Shenzhen?
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 Shenzhen?
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.
Check a date for Shenzhen
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.