Universal Consulting Opportunities Expands Global Presence with Strategic Engagements in Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Accra
As demand for more transparent and collaborative real estate practices grows across the globe, Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO) is deepening its work with real estate leaders in several countries. Throughout the month of June, the team has been participating in key industry events in Barcelona (Spain), Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Accra (Ghana), playing active roles in global conversations on real estate modernization and helping guide the expansion of Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) in emerging and evolving markets.
Throughout these events, UCO-Global is being called upon as a trusted advisor—sharing proven expertise from leading one of the largest and most influential MLSs in the U.S., empowering fair, efficient and connected marketplaces.
“Our involvement is part of a strategic, boots-on-the-ground effort to build relationships, offer guidance, and advance the professional infrastructure of real estate worldwide,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of UCO and Stellar MLS. “We’re proud to stand with our global colleagues and help country leaders adapt and localize the core principles of the MLS to their markets.”
Expanding Global Partnerships at ‘eXpCON’ Barcelona 2025
Members of UCO-Global’s leadership team traveled to Barcelona for eXp Realty’s “eXpCON” June 23-25, an international real estate conference and trade show focused on innovation and emerging market opportunities. UCO-Global’s leadership reiterated its ongoing commitment to expanding global partnerships and fostering meaningful relationships across the international real estate ecosystem. The team engaged with eXp leaders and industry executives, further building trust and exploring global expansion strategies and long-term partnership opportunities.
“MLS expansion is a multi-stakeholder mission,” said Cowen. “Our goal as a trusted resource to the global broker community is to support, guide and provide MLS-informed solutions to emerging markets worldwide based on our proven expertise.”
Partnering with the European Association of Real Estate Professions
UCO-Global is a knowledge partner with the European Association of Real Estate Professions (CEPI) and, as such, served as an expert advisor at CEPI’s General Meeting June 12–13 in Amsterdam, which had representation from 22 member countries. UCO Vice Presidents of Global Markets Marion Weiler and Dr. Mathew Kallumadil, took part in a range of high-level engagements, including a visit to the headquarters of Funda (a real estate platform in the Netherlands), a presentation on the Dutch real estate market, and CEPI-led discussions reinforcing UCO-Global’s role as a trusted international collaborator within the CEPI network. With many countries now actively developing models based on MLS principles, UCO-Global’s presence was critical, strengthening its position within the European real estate community and more closely aligning with key industry developments.
“As a trusted knowledge partner and advisor, our unique position enables us to collaborate with CEPI and its many member countries, helping to advance the MLS across Europe,” said Weiler. “By sharing our expertise and providing groundwork for MLS education and awareness of the benefits, we’re supporting their efforts to modernize real estate practices and drive greater professionalism and transparency in the market.”
Unlocking Africa’s Potential for Sustainable Growth
Dr. Kallumadil was invited to speak and advise on MLS development at the Africa Real Estate Conference and Expo (ARCE) June 18-20 in Accra, an event bringing together real estate professionals, investors, developers, government officials, and other key stakeholders from across the continent. Hosted by the Ghana Real Estate Professionals Association (GREPA), the conference offered a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and business development.
Dr. Kallumadil was a featured presenter on “Revolutionizing Real Estate: The MLS Opportunity in Africa” and shared insights into leveraging the MLS. He then joined Vicky Sampah, CEO and Senior Project Lead of ARCE and founder and CEO of GREPA, for a fireside chat on how MLS strategies can elevate Ghana’s real estate ecosystem to better equip policymakers with trusted data, enhance real estate practices, and benefit communities.
“Ghana is leading the way in Africa by strengthening its real estate infrastructure and regulatory framework, including the licensing of professionals, creating new opportunities for growth. With political stability and increasing investment from the diaspora, the real estate sector is expanding rapidly,” said Dr. Kallumadil. “This is a pivotal moment to design and implement an efficient marketplace that equips both industry professionals and policymakers with the data and tools they need to thrive.”
UCO-Global’s leadership and presence at the events in Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Accra marked noteworthy progress in the company’s international initiatives, further solidifying UCO-Global’s strategic role within the growing global real estate industry. By collaborating with a diverse spectrum of real estate leaders, UCO-Global is helping shape conversations around modern real estate marketplaces, drawing on deep experience to reimagine MLS solutions tailored to each market’s unique needs.
About UCO
UCO-Global exists to help real estate organizations worldwide build fair, efficient, and connected marketplaces. Whether exploring, launching, or scaling an MLS, we deliver tailored strategies grounded in deep MLS expertise, global insight, and local knowledge. Our multilingual, culturally fluent team brings over 100 years of combined MLS leadership and more than 40 years of international business experience to every engagement. Backed by Stellar MLS—one of the largest and most influential MLSs in the United States—we bring proven operational strength to global real estate transformation while building trust, transparency, and sustainable growth in every market we serve. Learn more at stellarmls.com/Global.
