A new market can look promising from a distance. Demand may appear strong, the business environment may seem familiar, and early conversations may suggest opportunity. But successful market entry depends on more than first impressions.  

In this FITTskills Live Webinar, Laura Pixley, CITP, Senior Director of Agribusiness and International Trade, of ChangeMakers  will join FITT for a practical conversation on how new and experienced exporters can better understand a new market or a new market segment before committing time, money, and resources. Drawing on her experience with the British High Commission and current role at Changemakers, Laura will explore the questions companies should ask early and the local factors they often underestimate.  

The session will look beyond a single country example. We'll take selective examples from different markets to show how local nuance can affect market-entry decisions. Exporters may need to understand customs, duties, labelling, product compliance, logistics, channel partners, after-sales support, buyer expectations, contracting norms, tax implications, data privacy, staffing, and relationship development. In each case, the central question is the same: what do you need to know before opportunity becomes a real market-entry plan?  

This session will help trade professionals think more clearly about how companies assess familiar and unfamiliar markets, adapt their approach, and prepare for the practical realities that shape international business success.  

Join us to learn:  

• Why a market can look easier to enter than it actually is  

• What exporters should investigate before entering or pursuing buyers in a new market  

• How local buyer expectations, compliance requirements, delivery models, and partner choices can affect success  

• Why familiar-looking markets can still require significant adaptation  

• How trade professionals can apply a practical discovery framework across countries, sectors, and market entry approaches. 

The session will include a 30-minute presentation and discussion followed by 15 minutes of live Q&A.  

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026  

Time: 1:00-1:45 PM ET  

Location: Online