The opening ceremonies had keynote and plenary speakers from the US government at different levels, US military, private industry and academia. All speakers expressed the theme of co-ordinating ocean research efforts across this broad spectrum of interests.

Captain John Cousins of the US Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command explained how oceanography modelling for the military now also includes debris field analysis following airline disasters and inundation analysis for natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes.

Marie Sanderson, Mississippi governor's office, addressed the audience explaining how the Gulf of Mexico Alliance addresses six regionally priority issues through increased collaboration at local, state, and federal levels.

Donald Resio PhD, from the US Army Corps of Engineers, and Harry H. Roberts PhD, Louisiana State University, gave addresses on inundation modelling.

Jerry Miller PhD, from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasised the financial impact the oceans have on the world economy. Edward C. Gough, deputy commander and technical director, US Naval and Meteorology Oceanography, demonstrated technological advances in data and data visualisation with a Google Oceans example.

James Delaney PhD, from the University of Washington, explained how emergent technologies such as current modelling and visualisation technologies are revolutionising oceanography and stressed the continuing need for more data.

Oceans '09 also had three town hall meetings. Participants offered advice and guidance on topics, such as ‘Refreshing Our Ocean Research Priorities', ‘Integrated Ocean Observation System Public-Private Use Policy', and ‘The Future of Ocean and Coastal Mapping'.