Merri Jo Cowen, Chief Vision Officer at Stellar MLS and Executive Vice President at Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), will deliver a keynote titled “From Paris to Istanbul” at the International MLS Forum in Istanbul on November 16–17, 2026. Her address will challenge international real estate leaders to embrace locally relevant MLS development rather than importing the North American model wholesale, a shift that could reshape how emerging markets organize property data and professional cooperation.
Cowen’s perspective draws on more than 40 years in the MLS industry and participation in every edition of the forum since its inaugural gathering in Paris. UCO, a subsidiary of Stellar MLS, returns as Title Partner for the third consecutive year, underscoring its sustained commitment to global MLS development. The forum’s fourth edition, organized by RESO, ADRES and RealtyFeed, will be held at Raffles Istanbul.
The core of Cowen’s message is that markets can develop organized real estate marketplaces suited to their own laws, business practices and consumer needs. “What I will be talking about is really focusing on opportunity,” Cowen said. “I’ve seen it all. I just feel like there’s nothing we can’t overcome if there’s a willingness.” She cautions against treating the U.S. and Canadian approach as a universal template, noting that the right structure depends on local conditions. “We need to reinforce that it’s possible. It’s not one size fits all,” she said. “If you sit down and figure out what your market needs, and then you have some help pulling that together, you can start that framework of an MLS that can evolve to where you want it to go. But you have to start.”
The implications for consumers are significant. In markets without an organized listing system, property information can be fragmented, prices inconsistent and trust uncertain. “A buyer could see the same property at five different prices, listed by five different agents,” Cowen said. “How do they know who the best agent is to work with?” An MLS can provide a framework for shared listing information and professional cooperation, improving transparency and reducing friction for buyers and sellers.
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 the Global Data Exchange (GDX). Cowen serves as GDX Board President through 2026. Ahead of Istanbul, FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, has joined GDX. Cowen sees connectivity as a practical way for MLS organizations to broaden resources for their members while retaining control over their participation. “I think it’s going to open a lot of doors for agents and brokers all across the globe to connect with potential buyers and sellers,” she said. For MLSs focused on their local market, she described cross-border networking as an achievable first step that does not require a huge investment.
Cowen believes in-person gatherings can turn initial conversations into actionable ideas. “It’s not just business building through networking. It’s the excitement that comes from an idea, or learning something new, or hearing a success story,” she said. Her invitation to markets considering an MLS and to established organizations exploring international connections is straightforward: “Be curious.” Tickets are available now.
