CMLS 2025 Recap – Hot and sticky
I needed the whole weekend to recover from a long week and long flight to Toronto and back. It was great to see so many friends in the same place. The conference itself was CMLS’ largest attendance. We’re back baby! Overall my “hot” take away was the venue itself was probably the worst ever. Which is unfortunate for the CMLS crew to deal with. Between limited air conditioning, muggy rooms, slow and non working elevators and a maze like venue layout that included a lot of stairs and a bridge, things couldn’t have been worse. Every one on the stage had a light sheen of sweat from the humidity of the room, and I don’t think anyone’s hair behaved except maybe for Adrese from Zillow. š
I will say however I did love the lobby bar layout, so there’s that. But where did all the bourbon go??
My “sticky” take is on the VERY positive side, I think the content of the conference was probably the best in a long time! The panels and talks were very relevant and actionable. Craig Cheatham made another appearance, with another long list of grievances, including what restaurants MLS execs choose to go to dinner. At least he didn’t have a deadline or countdown this time. With it being DenĆ©e’s last year, I thought it was a lost opportunity to really push back on Craig. But DenĆ©e has a lot more tact than I do.
Loved seeing AnneMarie DeCatsye get the 2025 Shuttleworth MLS Executive of the Year. Also great was Merri Jo Cowen entering the CMLS Hall of Fame. Well deserved Merri Jo! She has truly been a fountainhead of leaders in the industry.
I also had a blast at the RETechnology party, “Turn It Up Toronto! “ Great to have live music, a super fun Photo Booth and a great crowd. Everybody was there. Many thanks to Victor and Marilyn and all the sponsors! If you see any videos of me on the dance floor delete them immediately.
Wrapping up I think the elephant in the room is, what happens next? With DenĆ©e’s departure and rumors of a merger with RESO the future is a bit muggy as well. Time will tell, but I’ll keep my dancing shoes ready.
See you in Houston.
FBS [Sponsor]
My thanks to FBS for their sponsorship of Vendor Alley.
FBS has had a lot of exciting news recently. They recently announced a new partnership with Northwest Ohio Real Estate Information System (NORIS).
Here’s what NORIS CEO had to say…
āAfter a thorough evaluation of MLS platforms, Flexmls stood out as the one that will allow us to elevate our service to members,ā said Megan Foos, CEO of NORIS. āIts seamless integration across devices, ease of use and customization options are exactly what our members need to better serve their clients and stay ahead in a fast-paced market.ā
They also announced a pretty slick integration with Zillow...
“This integration introduces innovative functionality that simplifies and enhances the process of importing high-value, critical listing media into the MLS. This collaboration represents a shared vision between FBS and Zillow: to improve the agent experience and showcase the value of the MLS.”
FBS will have a full crew next week at the CMLS conference, be sure to look out for Michael, Dave, Matty, Kim, plus Allie and Tom.
My thanks again to FBS for sponsoring Vendor Alley this month!
MARIS selects REcore dashboard, Navigator by Lundy adds 3 new clients
Momentum Builds with MARIS Adoption of REcore Dashboard and New Navigator by Lundy Deals
“REcore, the leading provider of MLS SaaS solutions and data licensing, today announced a surge in adoption across its product ecosystem.Ā MARIS (Mid-America Regional Information Systems) MLSĀ has selected theĀ REcore dashboard,Ā a customizable MLS and association workspace, to power a unified and user-friendly experience for its members. At the same time,Ā Navigator by Lundy,Ā a member engagement and discovery tool distributed by REcore, has been adopted byĀ Heartland MLS, Greater Alabama MLS,Ā and theĀ Minneapolis Area REALTORSĀ®.“
I think I remember something about these guys being on a boat next week. š¢
See you at CMLS!
Ohan and I will be attending the CMLS Conference in Toronto next week. I will also be moderating a panel on “Bold Leadership, No Excuses” Wednesday morning. Reach out if you want to meet!
Set sail at CMLS
Well, I now know what everyone at CMLS will be posting on Instagram. Looks like Lundy, Perchwell, and REcore are hosting an evening on a boat! The cruise starts at 6:30PM on Monday, September 22nd.
I’m told they have a few more invites left. If you are interested reach out here => CMLS Sunset Cruise
MLS Reset 2026: Early bird pricing ends soon!
MLS Reset is all about getting back to what made Scottsdale in February specialāreal conversations, real connections, and none of the gatekeeping.
Weāre taking over the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Feb 9ā11, 2025, and bringing together MLS execs, staff, vendors, portals, and proptech players for great storytelling, straight talk and fresh ideas. No invite-only lists, no awkward vendor conflictsājust an open, affordable event where the MLS community can reset, recharge, and maybe even sneak in a round of golf, some pickleball, or a desert hike.
If you care about the future of MLS, this is where you need to be.
Early bird pricing ends August 31st, and don’t forget to book your hotel room, the Scottsdale Plaza sells out every year.
Click here to register and for more details => MLSReset.com
Lets connect, at Connect
I’ll be attending Inman Connect San Diego next week. Email me if you want to meet. See you there!
Don’t forget the Inman Connect Proptech Pre-Party!
Proptech Pre-Party: Escape the Vegas Vibes, Find the Real Ones
š Monday, July 28th | š 5PM ā 10PM
š Greg and Dan’s Studio ā Costa Mesa, CA
GO BIG ON THE FIRST NIGHT!! Before Inman Connect makes its San Diego debut, come hang with the cool kids of proptech and organized real estate just a couple hours up the coast in beautiful Orange County.
Register Now => Proptech Pre-Party!
Inman Connect Proptech Pre-Party!
Proptech Pre-Party: Escape the Vegas Vibes, Find the Real Ones
š Monday, July 28th | š 5PM ā 10PM
š Greg and Dan’s Studio ā Costa Mesa, CA
GO BIG ON THE FIRST NIGHT!! Before Inman Connect makes its San Diego debut, come hang with the cool kids of proptech and organized real estate just a couple hours up the coast in beautiful Orange County.
Register Now => Proptech Pre-Party!
