Resilience keynotes on Vancouver’s Pacific coast
Vancouver faces the ocean Paris rowed across in 2023. He brings The Grit Code to its conferences, tech teams and universities.
A Pacific city
Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia and hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. The Vancouver Convention Centre sits on the Coal Harbour waterfront.
In 2023 Paris rowed 4,800 km of the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
Its film, tech and resource industries all run on long projects, where grit matters.
Who Paris speaks to in Vancouver
Tech and film
Keynotes for creative and engineering teams.
Ocean and ports
A story of 39 days on the Pacific.
Conferences
Main-stage keynotes.
Universities
Talks for students.
Where Vancouver meets
The Vancouver Convention Centre hosts international conferences on the waterfront.
- Vancouver Convention Centre – on the Coal Harbour waterfront
- Downtown hotels – in the city centre
Ways to book Paris in Vancouver
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.
Watch the Pacific row film. 39 days at sea: the Pacific row film · Keynote speaker Toronto
Speaking in Vancouver, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Vancouver, 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.
See also keynote speaker in Canada, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Vancouver’s economy and who the talk is for
Vancouver has a population of about 662,248 (2021 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Businesses with their headquarters in Vancouver include Telus Communications (mobile phone industry), Lululemon Athletica (retail), First Quantum Minerals (mining industry), Teck Resources (coal industry), Eldorado Gold (mining) and Endeavour Mining (gold).
Manufacturing and engineering (First Quantum Minerals and Teck Resources). Manufacturing and engineering audiences value process. The Grit Code breaks grit into habits that can be practised on a production line or a project site, using the discipline of a 4,800 km ocean row as the example.
Mining (Eldorado Gold and Endeavour Mining). Mining and resources teams work in tough environments where endurance matters. Paris’s stories from the Antarctic marathon and the Pacific row translate directly to remote-site and safety audiences.
Telecoms (Telus Communications). 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.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Vancouver’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as University Canada West and Quest University. Paris’s talks for students and graduates focus on grit as a skill that can be learned, using his own expeditions as evidence.
Typical formats include welcome weeks, graduation events, entrepreneurship programmes and alumni dinners. University keynote speaker →
Other large venues in Vancouver
Beyond the main conference halls, Vancouver also has large venues for major events, including Rogers Arena, Pacific Coliseum, Orpheum and Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
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
- Each booking begins with a call about the audience and what success looks like after the event.
- The talk turns the 7-marathon challenge and the Pacific row into habits teams can use on Monday morning.
- A virtual version of 30–45 minutes is available for distributed teams.
The content is shaped around Vancouver 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.
- He is the CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, an AI video production company.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Vancouver?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Vancouver, in person or virtually.
Does the talk connect to the ocean?
Yes. The 2023 Pacific row is at the heart of the keynote.
Which Vancouver industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Vancouver it suits manufacturing and engineering, mining and telecoms audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Vancouver?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as University Canada West and Quest University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Vancouver?
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 Vancouver?
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.
Bring grit to your next Vancouver event
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More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact