FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, has joined the Global Data Exchange (GDX), the strategic initiative for standardized, cross-border sharing of listing data that anchors this year's 4th International MLS Forum (IMLSF). The forum is scheduled for November 16-17, 2026, at Raffles Istanbul. FIABCI's participation extends GDX's reach to real estate businesses, associations and professionals across global markets, marking a significant step toward a more unified international property data ecosystem.
The move matters because real estate remains a largely local industry, with listing information fragmented across national boundaries, incompatible standards and disparate technology platforms. GDX aims to change that by providing a common framework for how property listings are structured, shared and trusted across borders. By bringing FIABCI into the fold, GDX gains access to a federation whose membership spans dozens of countries and includes brokerages, associations and industry professionals. That reach could accelerate adoption of shared data standards far beyond the markets that have traditionally driven MLS innovation.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the International MLS Forum connects MLS leaders, regulators, real estate associations, brokerage executives, proptech companies and standards organizations to share the standards, technology and business practices that support more transparent, cooperative and efficient property marketplaces for the communities they serve. Attendees will take part in the conversations shaping how property information is shared, accessed and trusted across borders. The forum is organized by the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO), Advanced Real Estate Services (ADRES) and RealtyFeed. Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO) serves as Title Partner, and TÜGEM Türkiye, a national real estate organization with more than 2,000 members, serves as local host.
Confirmed speakers include Lily Chang, World President of FIABCI; Merri Jo Cowen, Inaugural President of GDX, Executive Vice President of UCO and Chief Vision Officer of Stellar MLS; Sam DeBord, CEO of RESO; and Jeremy Crawford, President and CEO of First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS), among others. Last year's edition welcomed more than 200 industry professionals from 51 countries. Istanbul, which links Europe and Asia, offers convenient access for delegates from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, reinforcing the forum's global orientation.
"We're delighted to reconvene some of the industry's leading experts from across the real estate marketplace, at the intersection of technology, real estate data, governmental bodies and more," said Merri Jo Cowen, Inaugural President of GDX. "We have some great speakers, and I look forward to paving the way for the future of real estate data with such a dynamic and empowered group of professionals."
Special hotel rates at Raffles Istanbul are available for registered attendees, with booking details provided in the registration confirmation email. Registration is open at mlsforum.org. The implications of FIABCI's GDX membership extend beyond the forum itself. Cross-border data sharing could lower barriers for buyers, sellers and agents operating internationally, reduce duplication and errors in listing information, and create new opportunities for proptech firms building services on standardized data. As the forum convenes in Istanbul, the collaboration between FIABCI, RESO, ADRES, RealtyFeed and other stakeholders will be closely watched as a test of whether global real estate can move toward the kind of interoperable data infrastructure that other industries already take for granted.
