To gain an appreciation of restoration programs advancing synthesis efforts in other regions (e.g., Chesapeake Bay, Columbia River watershed) and the challenges and opportunities they encountered, we heard two external partners (practitioners) presentations earlier. During the subsequent session(s), regional synthesis presentations presented their understanding of past and present efforts in the Gulf. Finally, with a more comprehensive understanding of the obstacles and opportunities for building a sustainable scientific synthesis capacity, this extended panel discussion/town hall will explore potential ways forward in the Gulf, utilizing lessons learned from regional and national activities. We invite an open dialogue with our invited speakers and the community regarding the role and value of a synthesis enterprise, how to structure monitoring and data management and leverage existing data repositories in the Gulf, what core training and capacity-building activities are needed to create the supporting infrastructure, and how will it be governed and resourced.