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 takes place November 16-17, 2026, at Raffles Istanbul. FIABCI’s participation extends GDX’s reach to real estate businesses, associations and professionals across global markets.
The addition of FIABCI, a federation with members in dozens of countries, matters because it brings a truly global constituency into a data-sharing framework that until now has been driven primarily by North American and European MLS organizations. For agents, brokers and consumers, the practical implication is that property listings could become more comparable and accessible across national borders, reducing the friction that currently makes cross-border transactions slow and opaque. When data standards are shared, buyers and sellers can trust that information is accurate and consistent, which lowers risk and speeds up deals.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the 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. The presence of these leaders underscores that GDX is not merely a technical pilot but a strategic alliance among organizations that control significant portions of the world’s listing data. Their decisions will influence how quickly and widely standardized data exchange becomes the norm, which in turn affects everything from valuation accuracy to how easily international buyers can search for properties abroad.
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. The choice of Istanbul reflects the forum’s ambition to bridge markets that have historically operated under different data regimes. “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.
