Every two years, the great and good of the international desalination community assemble under the auspices of the IDA World Congress. In October 2007 some 1400 delegates, presenters and exhibitors gathered in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria at what proved to be the largest gathering in the IDA's history. This year, World Pumps was there talking to the delegates and found that long term efficiency and reliability is a priority. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.