Merri Jo Cowen, Chief Vision Officer at Stellar MLS and a veteran of more than 40 years in the MLS industry, will deliver a keynote titled “From Paris to Istanbul” at the International MLS Forum in Istanbul on November 16–17, 2026. Her message carries significant weight for international real estate leaders: organized marketplaces can be built without simply importing the North American MLS model, and the key is to start with locally relevant frameworks.
Cowen’s perspective is shaped by her participation in every edition of the forum since its inaugural gathering in Paris. She also serves as Executive Vice President at Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), a subsidiary of Stellar MLS that returns as Title Partner for the third consecutive year, and as Board President of the Global Data Exchange (GDX). Her keynote will challenge international leaders to embrace locally relevant MLS development and greater connectivity, a shift that could reshape how markets approach transparency and cooperation.
Since the Paris forum, conversations have turned into concrete agreements. At last year’s forum in Toronto, Stellar MLS was one of five organizations from the U.S., Canada, France and the United Arab Emirates to sign the cross-border data share that launched GDX. Ahead of Istanbul, FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, has joined GDX. These developments signal that cross-border collaboration is moving from discussion to implementation, with implications for agents and brokers seeking broader networks.
The importance of organized listing systems is underscored by the consumer experience in markets without them. Cowen notes that buyers may see the same property at five different prices listed by five different agents, creating uncertainty about whom to trust. An MLS can provide a framework for shared listing information and professional cooperation, but Cowen cautions against treating the U.S. and Canadian approach as a universal template. “The model we have here in the United States and Canada is not necessarily the perfect model for another global entity, but it’s possible,” she says. Her emphasis on local laws, business practices and market needs means international leaders must tailor solutions rather than copy them.
Through UCO, Cowen and her team work with international organizations exploring how to establish or strengthen organized real estate marketplaces, addressing rules, governance, data practices and relationships needed for long-term cooperation. GDX, meanwhile, seeks to facilitate cross-border listing exchange among participating MLSs, a practical way to broaden resources while retaining local control. Cowen sees this as an achievable first step for MLSs focused on their local market. “There’s a huge opportunity here for MLSs to build a network for their agents to expand their business, even if that’s all they do,” she says.
The Istanbul forum itself is positioned as a catalyst. Cowen believes in-person gatherings can turn initial conversations into ideas worth pursuing, citing the excitement that comes from learning something new or hearing a success story. Her invitation to markets considering an MLS and to established organizations exploring international connections is straightforward: “Be curious.” Tickets are available now.
