Looking to elevate or change your career in 2022? We’ve created a list of professional organizations that are located in Southern Arizona, or have a robust local presence in the region. Whether you’re looking for something industry specific, or you just want to get out and meet other professionals, you’re sure to find a home in one of the following organizations.
We’ve broken down our list into three different sections depending on the type of group you’re interested in joining. Click to jump to that section:
Industry Specific
AIGA Arizona
The American Institute of Graphic Arts is a national organization dedicated to creative professionals. Although the Arizona chapter’s base is in Phoenix, there are many individuals in Tucson who are participating AIGA members. Membership offers a robust amount of professional development resources and events including full access to the AIGA Content Library including sample legal guides and contracts, conference and webinar videos on demand, research reports, discount offers from AIGA sponsors including Apple and Skillshare and more.
Membership dues: $50-$2500/year
Website: https://aigaaz.org/
Arizona Technology Council
Serving technology companies statewide, the Arizona Technology Council works to connect, empower, and engage technology companies of all shapes and sizes across the state of Arizona through educational seminars, business legislative lobbying, and networking events. With over 850 members, ATC is one of the largest technology-driven trade associations, offering its members specialized benefits for the technology industry with events held in both Phoenix and Tucson.
Membership dues: Varies depending on business size and type
Website: https://www.aztechcouncil.org/
The Beta Group
Specifically geared toward administrative and middle management professionals, the Beta Group creates networking and professional development opportunities for its members. In addition to professional development, Beta Group also regularly participates in philanthropic efforts and enjoys fun outings and events in the community.
Membership dues: $250/year
Website: https://www.thebetagroup.org/about-us.html
Society for Human Resource Management of Greater Tucson
SHRM-GT serves as an HR resource for employment trends, best practices, and innovative ideas. The chapter advises the Tucson community on relevant and emerging employment initiatives at the local, state, and national level. SHRM-GT is committed to developing HR leaders through mentoring, continuing education, networking, and volunteer opportunities. It offers its members access to a job board, member events, and committees to help influence the HR field in the region of Southern Arizona.
Membership dues: $150/year
Website: https://shrmgt.org/
Tucson Association of Realtors
For anyone working in the real estate industry in Tucson, becoming a member of the Tucson Association of REALTORS® is a must. TAR is the largest trade association in Southern Arizona, representing the interests of over 6,500 real estate professionals throughout Southern Arizona. Services provided to members include, professional and licensed-related education, public policy advocacy, participation on committees, annual meetings and trade expo, regular member communiques and publications and numerous other benefits and discounts.
Membership dues: Varies depending on membership type
Website: https://www.tucsonrealtors.org/
General Business & Career Development
Arizona Small Business Association
The Arizona Small Business Association is dedicated to helping the small business community thrive by offering relevant, dynamic, and innovative resources to its members and the highest level of advocacy as the voice of small business in Arizona. Membership provides invaluable resources and support including small business education, opportunities to create new professional relationships, mentorship, marketing tools, and ready-to-go employee benefits.
Membership dues: $350-$750/year
Website: https://www.asba.com/
Startup Tucson
Startup Tucson works to elevate entrepreneurs and start-ups to build a more equitable, vibrant, and forward-looking economy. Membership is free and grants access to community discounts, one-on-one “office hours” with community experts, mentorship, pitching opportunities, educational content, and more.
Membership dues: Free! Just attend a Startup Lab and complete periodic surveys
Website: https://www.startuptucson.com/
Tucson Business Networking
TBN is an award-winning organization designed for the purpose of helping organizations and professionals intermingle and create connections that further the success of the business community. Memberships offer a variety of benefits including access to a networking mixer every third Thursday of the month that over 200 other businesses attend.
Membership dues: $229/year
Website: https://tucsonbusinessnetworking.com/
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
THCC is the largest Latino business organization in the State of Arizona and one of the top ten Hispanic Chambers in the nation. THCC advocates for and provides services that help grow its members’ businesses in the bilingual and bicultural region of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. Membership includes professional development resources for individuals and small businesses, as well as regular and special events including a 40 Under 40 Awards Ceremony every year.
Membership dues: $350-$1500/year
Website: https://www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org/
Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce
One of the Tucson metropolitan area’s fastest growing chambers, TLGBTCC is the only chamber dedicated to the LGBT business community and its allies. Membership within the chamber provides powerful networking possibilities, one of the most loyal and dedicated consumer niches, marketing and advertising opportunities, and empowerment found through interaction within Tucson’s LGBT and straight allied community.
Membership Dues: $175/year
Website: https://tucsonlgbtchamber.org/
Tucson Metro Chamber
Founded in 1896 The Tucson Metro Chamber is a membership-based business advocacy and community development organization that represents 1,500 businesses, employing more than 160,000 employees in Tucson and Pima County. The Tucson Metro Chamber is committed to being the connector of leaders and influencers, catalyst for business growth, and champion for a stronger community and offers its members useful resources for the growth, education, and development of their businesses.
Membership dues: Varies
Website: https://tucsonchamber.org/
Young Professionals
El Rio Vecinos
El Rio Vecinos are a group of young professionals that works to enhance the health of the community through philanthropic support of El Rio Community Health Center. As stewards of this group, members attend monthly business meetings, volunteer activities, social events, and participate in a subcommittee to help plan the annual Block Party.
Age range: 25-40
Membership Dues: $100/year
Website: http://www.elriovecinos.com/
Tucson Urban League Young Professionals
As a chapter of the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP), emerging community leaders work to further the Urban League Movement by uplifting underserved Tucson communities through programs in education, housing and employment. Members also have the opportunity to advance themselves through civic engagement, leadership development, and economic empowerment, developing a sense of community through various social activities year-round.
Age range: 21-40
Membership Dues: $50/year
Website: https://mytucsonurbanleague.org/tulyp/
Tucson Young Professionals
TYP works to make greater Tucson a more prosperous, innovative, and inclusive community for young professionals through professional events, mid-level career development programs and advocacy initiatives.
Age range: 21-45
Membership dues: $200/year or $20/month
Website: https://www.tucsonyoungprofessionals.com/
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Young Leaders United
Young Leaders United is United Way’s affinity group for professionals who invest in the community and are actively seeking ways to Connect, Serve & Lead to make a positive and lasting impact throughout Southern Arizona. Members have the opportunity to network with prominent community leaders and like-minded philanthropists, participate in leadership events to expand their personal capacity for leadership roles, and give back to the community in meaningful ways.
Membership dues: No minimum
Website: https://unitedwaytucson.org/young-leaders-united/
Urban Land Institute – Southern Arizona Young Leaders Group
ULI Arizona’s Young Leaders Group (YLG) caters to real estate and land use professionals under the age of 35. Membership provides young leaders with the opportunity to connect with established professionals, while providing responsible leadership and transferring knowledge in the use of land to enhance the total environment.
Today, the group boasts over 400 Young Leaders who actively form their own programs and participate in the District Council’s events, outreach initiatives, and volunteer committees.
Age Range: 35 and under
Membership dues: $246-$610/year or $21-$51/month
Website: https://arizona.uli.org/get-involved/young-leaders-group/
One final note to keep in mind is that list isn’t exhaustive. New organizations are starting all the time, and you might also find the perfect organization via social media or websites like Meetup!