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Paris Norriss
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Beneple Kick-Off Day: setting the tone for 2026

By Paris Norriss··Event recap
Beneple Kick-Off Day 2026

The event

In January 2026, Beneple brought its team together in Dubai for its Kick-Off Day, and invited Paris Norriss to speak. Beneple wrote that the energy was “exactly what we needed to start the year”.

What Paris spoke about

Beneple introduced Paris as an explorer and filmmaker and said he “sparked honest conversations, challenged our thinking, and helped set the tone for the year.”

A kick-off day is a natural fit for The Grit Code. The start of a year is when teams set ambitious goals, and grit is what carries them through the setbacks that follow. Paris draws on stories from rowing the Pacific Ocean and running seven marathons on seven continents to show how that staying power is built.

Beneple was already part of Paris’s story: it was one of the supporters thanked at the Gulf for Good charity auction in November 2025.

Highlights

  • Speaker at the Beneple 2026 Kick-Off Day in Dubai.
  • Honest conversations and challenged thinking to set the tone for the year.

About The Grit Code keynote

The Grit Code is built on real stories from extreme environments. Paris rowed 4,800km across the Pacific Ocean in 2023 with the Brothers N Oars crew, a row that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation. He also ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, in Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.

From those experiences he draws practical lessons on purpose, vision, limiting beliefs, adapting a plan and keeping a clear head under pressure. He has delivered the keynote for audiences including the UN Tourism General Assembly, TEDx Amman, COP28, Expo 2020, DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Durlston Partners in London and Surfbreak in Honolulu. Every talk starts with a briefing call, so the stories connect to your theme, your industry and the challenges your people are facing right now.

“Kicking off the year the right way.”
— Beneple on LinkedIn

Want Paris for your own conference or leadership event? Read more about The Grit Code, see more past speaking events or send an enquiry. Planning an event in the region? See Paris as a keynote speaker in the UAE.

Speaking in Dubai

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About the speaker

Who Paris is

Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and in 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.

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.

Why this matters for organisers

Proof behind the story

Every appearance, interview and talk on this page sits in the same body of work: expeditions that can be checked, television that reached 123 countries, and a business he runs as CEO. Organisers who want The Grit Code keynote can book a 45–60 minute session, a virtual version, or a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day.

Paris also hosts as MC, including as a regular host of AI Talks by Founders, and has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh.

Book Paris

Next steps for your event

Share the date, format and audience, and Paris will reply with a short outline. He holds a briefing call before each booking so the examples match the room. He presents as an adventurer and as CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.

He is an ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel, and an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good.

More context

Credentials and formats

Paris is a regular host of AI Talks by Founders, has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh, and was a brand ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel. He is an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good.

Bookings can include the keynote alone, the keynote plus workshop, or hosting as MC. He grew up at Longleat, studied at Edinburgh University, lived in Muscat from 2009 to 2012, and has spent 17 years in the Gulf.

FAQ

Common questions

Who is Paris Norriss?

A keynote speaker on grit and mindset, adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries.

What is The Grit Code?

His main keynote on grit and resilience, built on the 7 marathons on 7 continents and the 2023 Pacific row.

Can Paris speak at our event?

Yes. He speaks at conferences and company events worldwide, in person or virtually.

Is a workshop available?

Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.

Who has Paris spoken for?

Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.

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