Who We Are
The International MLS Forum (IMLSF) is a global convening of real estate leaders, standards bodies, technology innovators, brokers, developers, and regulators focused on a single frontier: how organized marketplaces, trusted data, professional cooperation, and technology can elevate real estate markets worldwide.
Founded in 2023 in Paris and continued in Milan and Toronto, the Forum is a collaborative space where ideas transform into practical action—not just in North America and Europe, but across emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Our next edition will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE | November 23–24, 2026.
Our Purpose
Real estate markets are fundamental to societies—impacting families, cities, economies, investment, and everyday mobility. Yet, the structure of property information, how it’s shared, accessed, and trusted, varies widely across countries.
The International MLS Forum exists to:
Clarify and advance what an MLS truly is: a trusted information marketplace, not merely a listing portal.
Explore how real estate data standards and cooperation improve market transparency, consumer trust, and professional practice.
Demonstrate how technology—especially data standards, APIs, and emerging innovations like AI—supports modern MLS systems and interoperable marketplaces.
Connect diverse market contexts: from mature MLS systems in the U.S. and Canada to markets where MLS culture is just emerging.
Provide a neutral, multi‑stakeholder platform where regulators, associations, MLS operators, technology providers, brokerages, and developers learn from each other and shape shared roadmaps for progress.
What Makes IMLSF Unique
1. Global Perspective, Local Relevance
Every real estate ecosystem has different histories, regulations, and market traditions. The Forum brings together voices from more than 50 countries to ensure global learnings are interpreted through local realities.
2. Standards‑Driven Collaboration
We emphasize data reliability, interoperability, and standards as foundational pillars of organized markets. Through collaborations with standards bodies like the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) and national associations, we promote transparent, transportable property data that powers marketplaces worldwide.
3. Policy, Practice & Technology in Concert
The Forum is not a conference about theory. It’s where policy leaders, MLS executives, technology builders, and market practitioners converge to tackle operational challenges—like data privacy, AI regulation, MLS adoption, and cross‑border interoperability.
4. Inclusive Ecosystems, Not Silos
We focus on building trusted information marketplaces that serve governments, MLSs, brokerages, tech partners, and ultimately consumers. Our content and discussions span from data governance and consumer protection to professional education and ethical conduct.
Our Vision
We envision a future in which:
Real estate markets everywhere have access to trustworthy, standardized data.
Digital marketplaces connect seamlessly across platforms, borders, and regulation frameworks.
Professionals are empowered through education, certification, and shared tools.
Consumers benefit from transparency, predictability, and fairness across buying, selling, and investment channels.
MLS systems—whether decades old or just beginning—serve as reliable nodes in a global information ecosystem.
Who Participates
The International MLS Forum brings together:
Standards Authorities such as RESO
National Associations and MLS Organizations from multiple continents
Technology Innovators and PropTech Leaders advancing modern data exchange and AI use cases
Brokerage Leadership and Franchise Networks focused on global inventory and consumer experience
Developers and Capital Partners seeking cross‑border distribution and market growth
Regulators and Government Agencies shaping policy for data privacy, interoperability, and market integrity
Our Stories in Action
IMLSF is where practical progress happens:
MLS systems achieve certification and interoperability, enabling data exchange via standards like RESO Web API.
Education and professional development scale through partner initiatives such as the ThinkProp Institute’s training programs.
Emerging markets explore MLS adoption, learning from mature ecosystems and customizing models for local relevance.
Technology adoption, including AI, is positioned to support developers, MLS operators, and professionals—not replace them.
Why It Matters
Trustworthy information marketplaces aren’t abstract concepts—they are core infrastructure. They impact:
Consumer confidence and fair pricing
Market transparency and efficiency
Government taxation and regulatory compliance
Professional standards and ethical conduct
Cross‑border investment and economic growth
The International MLS Forum exists to accelerate understanding, share lessons, and build systems that serve people, markets, and communities everywhere.