Resilience keynotes for Umm Al Quwain
Paris dived the wreck of the MV Dara off Umm Al Quwain for Guy in Dubai. He brings The Grit Code to the emirate’s companies, resorts and free zone.
Mangroves, islands and a famous wreck
Umm Al Quwain is the least populous emirate. Its islands and creeks are lined with mangroves, and Al Sinniyah island hosts the UAE’s largest Socotra cormorant colony.
Ed-Dur, one of the largest archaeological sites in the Emirates, lies on its coast.
The MV Dara sank in April 1961 and lies in about 30 metres of water off Umm Al Quwain. Paris dived it with Divers Down for Guy in Dubai. Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East.
Who Paris speaks to in Umm Al Quwain
UAQ Free Trade Zone
Keynotes for trading and SME teams.
Resorts and leisure
Talks for hospitality teams.
Marine and fisheries
Sessions rooted in an ocean story.
Leadership teams
Resilience for managers.
Rooms and stages
Beach resorts and the Chamber of Commerce hall host Umm Al Quwain’s business events.
- Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain – meeting room and lawn
- UAQ Chamber of Commerce hall – an events and conference hall
Pick the format
Most Umm Al Quwain 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 →
Stories with the miles behind them
Seven marathons in under six days
Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami: 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Across the Pacific by rowing boat
A 4,800 km row in 2023 that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Watch the MV Dara wreck-dive episode. MV Dara wreck dive episode · 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film
On stage or on screen
Available for in-person events in Umm Al Quwain, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers in the Middle East typically book speakers one to two months ahead, and shorter notice is sometimes possible, so it is worth asking.
See also keynote speaker in the UAE, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
History beneath the waves off Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain is one of the quietest emirates, with mangroves, lagoons and a long maritime history.
Paris has dived its waters. In a Guy in Dubai episode he dived the MV Dara, the British passenger ship that sank in 1961 with the loss of 238 lives and now lies in about 30 metres of water off Umm Al Quwain. With Divers Down he planned a careful dive to cope with the strong currents before exploring the wreck.
That mix of history, careful planning and nerve under pressure is the stuff of The Grit Code, and it gives Umm Al Quwain audiences a story from their own coastline.
Why Paris knows Umm Al Quwain's audiences
Paris Norriss moved to Dubai around 2009 because he believed in the UAE's long-term vision, and he has lived in the country ever since: 17 years of building a career, a company and a home here.
He presented Guy in Dubai, the adventure series that ran for four seasons and 26 episodes on Dubai Television and has more than 22 million views. His shows have aired on Dubai TV, OSN, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia. Today he is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, the production company with offices in Business Bay, Dubai, and at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi.
Over those years he has worked as an ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel, and he is an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good. He has spoken at COP28 at Expo City Dubai (December 2023) and at Expo 2020 Dubai (2021), and UAE clients include Nokia, Kraft Heinz, Dubai Airports, Dulsco, Al Kabeer Foods, IHG and the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF).
That is why The Grit Code lands in Umm Al Quwain. It is not a visiting speaker's generic script; it comes from someone who has lived through the UAE's growth and understands the teams building it.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Umm Al Quwain?
Yes. He is available for Umm Al Quwain conferences, offsites and leadership events, on site or online.
Has Paris filmed in Umm Al Quwain?
Yes. He dived the MV Dara wreck off its coast for Guy in Dubai.
Has Paris filmed in Umm Al Quwain?
Yes. A Guy in Dubai episode follows his dive on the MV Dara shipwreck off Umm Al Quwain.
Can Paris speak at schools and community events in Umm Al Quwain?
Yes. Alongside corporate keynotes, The Grit Generation programme brings The Grit Code to students.
Planning an event in Umm Al Quwain?
Tell us about the room and the date. You can also book a call.