Of the nearly 200 conference participants, 45 attendees filled out feedback forms related to the conference activities. The overwhelming majority of the respondents indicated that the conference was a very useful event. Furthermore, most were very interested in participating in activities to further address the issues raised at the conference. The following snippets reflect the opinions expressed by conference attendees:

"The historical presentations were very useful in providing a perspective of long-term issues in the basin."

"The limited use of jargon was helpful."

"There was an opportunity for in-depth interaction with other participants on an equitable basis."

"Great organization and implementation."

"Very educational—a good selection of knowledgeable speakers."

"Good exposure to the full spectrum of research and science."

"Provided an overview of scientific knowledge and recent findings in language and ways understandable to all."

"A lot of the right people attended, so the ability to discuss, clarify, and develop a cooperative future was really there."

"Excellent review of research that is being undertaken."

"El intercambio de ideas entre los expositores de carteles."

"La pluralidad de las opiniones, pero todos con el único fin."

"Alentar a los participantes a buscar colaboración con otras instituciones."

"Get more local people to attend rather than just experts."

"We need to stop 'conferencing' and start doing something on the ground—more local people and more fieldtrips."

"Not enough publicity to encourage local participation, especially in Mexico."

"Design research questions to fill data gaps so issues can be addressed at a future date."

"There was a lack of action planning. We know enough right now to make some management recommendations and monitor actions."

"Most of the speakers in the session on management and decision-maker information needs did not address the questions."

"Give poster presenters 40 seconds to introduce their posters and express results quickly; it also helps attendees to figure out which posters to see."

"Organize the posters by topic."

"Present science research posters in a format that non-Ph.D.s can understand!"

"Tried to do too much—either more days or less activities."