The crucial role Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play in their regions already contributes £45bn to the UK economy and will be a prime determinant of economic success in the future. Often the largest employers and land-owners in a region, universities are a key driving force in innovation and economic regeneration. Alongside their core mission of research and teaching, HEIs provide new ideas, services, skills and facilities to support cultural and civic development in their localities and regions. Bringing together HEIs, Regional Development Agencies and the voluntary and community sector, this event considered how to grasp and capitalise on the opportunities to develop ‘third stream’ activity, examined future directions for the regional agenda, and set out how to enhance regional engagement to the benefit of students, the regional economy and beyond.