Walker Presents at World Trade Symposium

Missoula, Montana

Flat Earth Imports President and Cofounder Kitch Walker recently presented a seminar titled “Marketing with Cultural Context and Brand Management” to the Montana World Trade Center’s Global Trade Certificate Program. The program is designed to help prepare Montana business owners for the rigors of competing in the global market.

Walker, who has received certification through the program, was serving dually as a peer educator, sharing the marketing and strategy insights his seminars are known for, as well as some of his experiences-to-date with Flat Earth Imports.

Focusing on the link between core marketing strategy and acquiring opportunities in markets abroad, Walker stressed the importance of decision-making information. When the cultural context shifts, that information is still essential, but alters to differing degrees based on specific cultural imperatives and values. By adapting proven strategic methods to a new cultural context, business owners can capitalize on opportunities in foreign markets. And by identifying successful, existing business practices, businesses can begin to successfully translate their appeal into foreign markets.

Since its launch in March 2007, Flat Earth Imports has gone from concept to initial product offering. Flat Earth’s team has made several scouting trips to Italy, recruiting and evaluating potential artisan partners. Having carefully assessed these partners and their authentic products, the specialty import firm unveiled its initial product offering under the name Autentico Italiano, or “Authentically Italian.”

Based in Bozeman, Montana, Flat Earth is an innovative, single-source provider offering a wide variety of authentic products from time-tested artisans around the world. At its core, Flat Earth focuses on identifying, importing, marketing and delivering authentic products to specialty markets.

Walker already has a well-established reputation as a marketing consultant with the Bozeman-based firm Ripple Marketing, which he cofounded. Ripple continues to serve its clients, developing the sophisticated marketing and communications solutions that have distinguished it from its peer firms.

The Global Trade Certification Program encourages participants to pursue best practices, learning from experts in the fields of international law, U.S. trade policy and international banking, as well as business peers in the process of developing their foreign markets. Program organizers have set two objectives for the certification program: 1) Provide business leaders with the tools and resources needed to build a foundation that supports global business opportunities and growth; and 2) Create a professional network and support system to help Montana companies increase market capabilities and expand into global markets.

You can view Walker’s speaker bio online by clicking here. To book Walker as a speaker at your next event or to request a customized seminar, 406.585.0128.