Resilience keynotes in Taif, the summer capital
Taif sits high in the Hijaz Mountains and is often called Saudi Arabia’s summer capital. Paris brings The Grit Code to its conferences and campuses.
Mountain city of roses
Taif lies at about 1,879 metres in the Hijaz Mountains, and its mild summers have earned it the name of the Kingdom’s unofficial summer capital.
The area is known for roses, pomegranates, figs and honey. Souq Okaz, the largest annual fair of pre-Islamic Arabia, was held near the city.
Paris has filmed his TV shows in AlUla, hosted the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh and hosted shows at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya. Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East.
Who Paris speaks to in Taif
Taif University
Talks for students and staff.
Tourism and heritage
Keynotes for tourism teams.
Government entities
Sessions for public-sector leaders.
Agriculture
Talks for growers and producers.
Event venues
InterContinental Taif and the city’s hotels host conferences, forums and seasonal events.
- InterContinental Taif – halls for up to 1,000 conference guests
- Al-Hada mountain resorts – on the road above the city
Ways to book Paris in Taif
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 Paris’s keynote pages for Jeddah and Riyadh. Keynote speaker Jeddah · Keynote speaker Riyadh
Booking for Taif
Available for in-person events in Taif, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers in the Middle East typically book speakers one to two months ahead, so get in touch early to secure your date.
Paris presents in English. Arabic interpretation or translated slides can be arranged by the organiser.
See also keynote speaker in Saudi Arabia, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Taif’s economy and who the talk is for
Taif has a population of about 579,970 (2010 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Students, graduates and faculty
Taif’s universities, including Taif University, 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 Taif 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
- 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.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
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.
Questions from Taif organisers
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Taif?
Yes. Organisers in Taif can book him in person or for a virtual session.
Can the keynote suit a tourism forum?
Yes. Paris has hosted the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh and can shape the talk for tourism audiences.
Does Paris speak at universities in Taif?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Taif University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Taif?
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 Taif?
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.