”The Nordic region as a frontrunner in research and innovation” was the theme of the conference hosted by the Nordic Council of Ministers, Iceland (its chair) and the Nordic Innovation Centre on 10 June 2004. Delegates included decision- and policymakers in the Nordic innovation system. An important aim of the conference was to discuss and generate feedback to the newly presented policy document, ”Proposals for a collaborative Nordic programme on innovation policy 2005-2010” (”The Book of Innovation”).