Please see below for the download links. All files are Adobe PDF format.

MONDAY: 2 June 2008

What are the components of a successful innovative region?

	Opening Keynote
	Ms. Amy Liu, Deputy Director, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution
	Presentation download (4.1MB, PDF format)
	Research Presentation: The Innovative Region
	Dr. Margaret O’Mara, Assistant Professor of History, University of Washington
	Presentation download (PDF format)
	Regional Presentations: Location-Based Strategies to Foster Innovation
	Fukuoka: Mayor Hiroshi Yoshida, City of Fukuoka - Island City Project
	Presentation download (MB, PDF format)
	Barcelona: Mr. Josep Miguel Piqué, Chief Executive Officer - 22@Barcelona
	Presentation download (4.0MB, PDF format)

TUESDAY: 3 June 2008

Creating and competing on the global stage: What are the strategies for success?

	Presentation: tmsuk Co., Ltd.
	Mr. Yoichi Takamoto, CEO of tmsuk
	Presentation download (2.1MB, PDF format)

WEDNESDAY: 4 June 2008

How do we foster and sustain an innovative region?

	Innovations in Regional Leadership – Concurrent breakout session #1
	Member regions are engaged in some of the world’s most innovative regional projects, strategy development and programs. Participants will hear from the leaders of several innovative efforts in member regions about the efforts and the impacts they are having on their communities.
	Track A: Triple Helix Innovation Strategy
	Mr. Eero Holstila, Director of Economic Development, City of Helsinki
	Presentation download (PDF format)
	Track B: Fukuoka City Disaster Prevention Center
	Mr. Junichiro Nakashima, Executive Director, International Economic Affairs Department, City of Fukuoka
	Presentation download (PDF format)
	Innovations in Regional Leadership – Concurrent breakout session #2
	Track A: Rainbow Project, Daejeon
	Mr. Jong-jun Youn, Manager of Innovation and Management Office, City of Daejeon
	Presentation download (8.9MB, PDF format)
	Track B: City of Vancouver: Preparing to Play on the World Stage
	Mr. James Ridge, Deputy City Manager, City of Vancouver
	Presentation download (PDF format)
	Lunch and Methods in International Benchmarking
	Location: Seattle City Hall, Bertha Landes Room
	Mr. Hayato Nagase, Senior Researcher, Institute of Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.
	Presentation download (PDF format)
	Mr. Kevin Kane and Mr. Eric Simpson, Scottish Development International
	Presentation download (PDF format)

Photos from the First Annual Members Meeting

Conference agenda

Download the conference briefing book - PDF file

The Innovative Region: Comparing, learning and sharing best practices and challenges

The Innovative Region is the first ever international conference of its kind that brings together regional business, government and community leaders from some of the most sophisticated city-centered regions in the world: Barcelona, Dublin, Fukuoka, Helsinki, Melbourne, Munich, Seattle and Stockholm. This three-day conference will be hosted in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. from June 1 to June 4, 2008. It is an exclusive opportunity for consortium members and invited guests to develop working relationships with their counterparts from other regions, view results of the international benchmarking effort, and learn from each others’ best practices and challenges.

Who can attend

This meeting is for members and invited guests of the International Regions Benchmarking Consortium. Approximately 80 people from the 8 consortium member regions and 4 observer regions are invited to attend, including mayors, business leaders, university presidents and administrators, and other community leaders.

Keynote Speakers

• William H. Gates, Sr., Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: As Co-Chair of the Gates Foundation, Mr. Gates guides the vision and strategic direction of the foundation and serves as an advocate for the foundation’s key issues. www.gatesfoundation.org
• Amy Liu, Deputy Director of Metropolitan Policy Program, The Brookings Institution: Ms. Liu's policy studies include economic competitiveness, metropolitan growth and development, governance reforms, urban reinvestment, and social equity. www.brookings.edu
• Brad Smith, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, Legal & Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Corporation: Mr. Smith leads the company's Department of Legal and Corporate Affairs, which is responsible for all legal work and for government, industry and community affairs activities. www.microsoft.com

Conference Co-chairs

• Dr. V. Lane Rawlins, President Emeritus, Washington State University
• Dr. Lee Huntsman, President Emeritus, University of Washington & Executive Director, Life Sciences Discovery Fund

Conference and Best Practices Topics

• Performing Effectively in a Global Economy: A learning community of sophisticated cities
• What makes an Innovative Region?
• The University’s Role in an Innovative Region
• Location-Based Strategies to Foster Innovation
• The Business Perspective on Entrepreneurship and the Innovative Region