Wendy Perrin, Director of Consumer News and Digital Community, Conde Nast.

Kicking off the business sessions will be Wendy Perrin, Condé Nast Traveller's Director of Consumer News and Digital Community. Wendy will be speaking about the importance of food and wine to a country’s international image, reputation and branding and how food and wine defines the perception of a country’s culture. This session lays the foundations for discussion about how Australian wine can play a greater role in ‘brand Australia’ and how the Australian wine industry can transition wine into the lifestyle space to better reach consumers. Wendy has written the magazine's practical advice column The Perrin Report for 16 years and is considered an authority on consumer travel issues. Her feature "The Fabulous 50" was a 2006 finalist for a National Magazine Award, the magazine industry's most prestigious editorial honour. She received the 2005 award for Travel Journalist of the Year conferred by the American Society of Travel Agents.

Wendy is also the critically acclaimed author of Wendy Perrin's Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know (Fodor's, 1997). Her blog, ‘The Perrin Post’ has been called "one of the world's best travel blogs" by The Telegraph and her email newsletter ‘The Perrin Postcard’ goes to 200,000 subscribers monthly. She also compiles ‘Wendy Perrin's Annual List of Top Travel Specialists,’ which is celebrating its 13th anniversary and has become an industry standard, comprising the world's most expert and well-connected trip designers.

Wendy frequently speaks and moderates panels at conferences and Condé Nast Traveler events. She has addressed audiences everywhere from Barnes & Noble to luxury cruise ships to Harvard University to the United Nations. Television appearances include "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Today Show," "Good Morning America" and multiple programs on CNN. With over 89,000 twitter followers, Wendy also speaks regularly on how to harness the power of social media.