Annie Ives, CEO of The MLS® and VestaPlus®, will speak on the panel “Consolidation, Portals and the Next Competitive Map” at the 4th International MLS Forum, November 16-17, 2026, at Raffles Istanbul in Istanbul, Türkiye. The announcement highlights the growing importance of MLS data and technology in a rapidly consolidating real estate industry.
Ives, who has been in MLS leadership for more than 30 years, brings a long-term perspective on the role of MLS organizations. “I think the MLS still has a very strong role to play, because we are the keeper of the data, the accuracy of the data,” Ives said. Her view underscores that despite consolidation among MLSs and associations, the value an organization provides to its members remains the deciding factor.
Asked where the MLS fits as brokerages and portals grow, Ives emphasized partnership. “I think partners,” she said. “They will always need the data from the MLS.” The MLS shares data with most of Southern California and some of Northern California. “I think data share is the way to go,” Ives added. This approach could signal a model for other regions facing similar pressures to consolidate and share resources.
Ives sees the MLS and its technology as one business. “You have to become a technology company, offer value to your members, expand your horizon,” she said. About 25 years ago, Ives decided The MLS would build its own MLS platform, starting with two programmers. “We decided to develop our own MLS platform because we wanted greater control over our technology and our future,” she said. That investment has since evolved into a commercial venture: VestaPlus licenses its MLS platform, CheckMate™ and other products to MLS organizations across the country, customizing them for each client.
The MLS also built CheckMate™, an AI-powered compliance tool, for its own staff. It helps staff keep track of compliance follow-ups and uses AI to review listing photos and remarks, including for fair housing. “Now we don’t wait for anyone to report the violation,” Ives said. “With AI, we can find it ourselves.” “Our goal is to get clean data,” she said. “What began as an investment in our own technology has also become a business opportunity,” Ives added. “Simply put, The MLS provides the marketplace, data, and services, while VestaPlus develops the technology that makes it all work.”
Ives is attending the Forum because “real estate is global.” She said, “It’s always good to hear what’s going on in other countries to get some ideas.” The MLS may be interested in data exchange, and the Forum is a chance to meet potential partners. “Because we are our own technology company, we do everything ourselves and we want to expand,” she added. VestaPlus is a sponsor of this year’s Forum and also sponsored the 2025 Forum in Toronto. Ives hopes the sponsorship brings recognition and business with international partners.
The Forum brings together MLS executives, brokers and technology providers from a few dozen countries. Ives will speak on “Consolidation, Portals and the Next Competitive Map” on November 16 in Istanbul. Tickets are available at mlsforum.org. The 4th edition, organized by RESO, ADRES and RealtyFeed, takes place November 16-17, 2026, at Raffles Istanbul.
