Resilience keynotes on Swansea Bay
Swansea was once the world’s copper-smelting capital and is now Wales’s second city. Paris brings The Grit Code to its campuses and companies.
Copperopolis to Bay Campus
From the early 1700s to the late 1800s Swansea was the world’s leading copper-smelting area, earning the nickname Copperopolis. It became a city in 1969.
Swansea University opened its £450 million Bay Campus on the beach in 2015. The poet Dylan Thomas was born in the Uplands area.
The Gower Peninsula, within the city’s area, was the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK.
Who Paris speaks to in Swansea
Swansea University
Keynotes for students and researchers.
Energy and engineering
Resilience for project teams.
Councils and health
Talks for frontline staff.
Hospitality and outdoors
Sessions for service teams.
Event venues
Swansea Arena, the Brangwyn Hall and the seafront hotels host the city’s conferences and ceremonies.
- Swansea Arena – a 3,500-capacity arena opened in 2022
- Brangwyn Hall – a multi-use hall that hosts university graduations
- Swansea.com Stadium – home of Swansea City
Ways to book Paris in Swansea
Most Swansea 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.
Watch Paris’s Pacific row film. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Cardiff · Keynote speaker Newport
Booking for Swansea
Available for in-person events in Swansea, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book UK speakers about three months ahead, and shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is worth asking.
See also keynote speaker in the UK, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Swansea’s economy and who the talk is for
Swansea has a population of about 246,700 (2023 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Students, graduates and faculty
Swansea’s universities, including University of Wales Trinity Saint David - Swansea Campus and Swansea University Medical School, 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 Swansea
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Swansea venues include Swansea Crown Court.
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 Swansea 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 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.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Questions from Swansea organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Swansea?
Yes. Organisers in Swansea can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Can Paris speak at a university event in Swansea?
Yes. He speaks at university, graduate and staff events.
Does the keynote suit an outdoor or tourism business?
Yes. His stories come from oceans, ice and deserts.
Does Paris speak at universities in Swansea?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as University of Wales Trinity Saint David - Swansea Campus and Swansea University Medical School, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Swansea?
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 Swansea?
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 Swansea
Send the basics and Paris’s team will reply, or book a call.