No longer just about networking, Tucson Young Professionals is reimagining what regional development looks like with Hello520, a new initiative aimed at turning Tucson into a place where young professionals want to live, work and stay.

Tucson Young Professionals launched in 2007 when a small group came together to build something different, with a new generation taking the lead and opening the door for others.

Once a support system during economic hardship, it’s now the largest organization of its kind in the state and a driving force for development, connection and Tucson pride. TYP has more than 1,000 members working to reshape Tucson into a magnet for emerging talent by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed.

“People come here to network, which normally is business focused, but we're really a place where young people are trying to make friends and we're really making personal connections,” said CEO Jessica Sueskind. “We're not just trading business cards.”

TYP opportunities for members include their monthly CEO roundtable, workshops and their newest program, Hello520.

Hello520 is a free 90-day “soft landing” program made to help new or returning residents transition smoothly, offering support with everything from finding housing to building business and peer connections.

The effort was inspired by Remote Tucson, a program launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic that generated nearly $2.5 million in economic impact by encouraging remote workers to relocate to Pima County.

“We talked to the Remote Tucson participants to understand what worked well about that program, what they loved about it, what they didn't, where there were areas for improvement to kind of understand how much of the Remote Tucson programming that we wanted to keep in our new programming,” Sueskind said.

Remote Tucson offered cash incentives to remote workers who relocated to the region. While Hello520 doesn't offer monetary gain, those who sign up receive other perks, including passes to local museums, theaters, attractions and wellness services, restaurant recommendations and more.

For years, TYP has focused on retaining and developing talent already living in Tucson, but with the launch of Hello520, the organization is stepping into talent attraction and reimagining what economic development can look like.

“With Hello520, the successful outcome would be that they stay here long term — like they were relocating here for whatever they were looking for, and we were able to help them find it — and they stay here for the next 10 years or forever,” Sueskind said.

The idea was born early last year, during a dinner conversation between Sueskind, board member Mike Plunkett and Startup Tucson CEO Liz Pocock.

“Hello520 is our opportunity to move into that attraction space and really become a support for economic development in our region,” Sueskind said.

TYP sees the program as an extension of its mission to make Tucson not just a place to live, but a place to thrive, offering more than relocation support by providing curated connections to the city’s creative and business communities.

“Everything that we do at TYP is rooted in this idea that we are trying to personally grow, but we also want our region to prosper and that is the thing that brings us all together,” Sueskind said.

Each participant is paired with a “Tucson Buddy,” a local TYP member chosen to match their life stage and interests with the goal of building immediate connections.

Applications for Hello520 are open to any working professional looking to relocate, including remote workers, nonprofit leaders, business owners and graduates of UA or PCC.

Tucson natives are also part of the plan. The program also targets “Boomerangs” — people who grew up in Tucson or went to school here, left and are now looking to come back.

Sueskind sees herself as a boomerang of sorts, as she grew up in Sierra Vista and reluctantly moved to Tucson, only to fall in love with its people and spirit.

She joined TYP in 2018 when she was new to the city and looking for connections, but instead found a community that would later shape her career and the outlook for other young professionals following a similar path.

“I started as a committee member and then I worked my way up to the board and then I was at a point where I was ready for my next career move,” she said. “At the same time that our executive director was leaving and my background was in nonprofit management and it's what I wanted to get back to, so I got to kind of move into that role.”

Sueskind’s story reflects the values TYP aims to instill in its members: that young professionals can find growth, leadership and a sense of belonging in Tucson, shaping the city as they shape themselves.

“It's just been really cool to get to see their growth through our programming and be able to bring a different vibe to what TYP is and really make it a place that is inclusive and welcoming and warm, because that's who I am and so I'm able to be that for the organization,” she said.

The goal is to expand Hello520 into a year-round, rolling admissions model that can be used by the city of Tucson and Pima County as a recruitment tool for individuals and small teams looking to relocate.

Hello520 members also have access to TYP’s regular member services, including its CEO roundtable. The monthly event allows members to meet directly with local leaders to gain valuable insight on career paths in a candid and conversational setting.

“It's for an audience of about 45 people intentionally so that everyone who comes to that event has an opportunity to ask whatever questions they want to ask of this leader and it gives us an opportunity for these leaders to be really candid with us,” Sueskind said. “I feel like it's such a safe space for our members, but also for our speakers that these conversations are really real and they kind of just give us the truth about what it looks like to be a leader.”

This year, members have met with Tucson Electric Power CEO Susan Gray and a general from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

August’s roundtable guest will be Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who will share her personal journey and vision for the city.

The group is also hosting a “Building on Basics” financial empowerment workshop in August, focusing on credit and budgeting strategies for early-career professionals.

TYP has also played a key role in launching initiatives like TENWEST Festival, This is Tucson and Ignite520, an annual professional development conference that brings together hundreds of attendees to hear from over 40 keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking.

“If they're looking for a job, we have corporate partners that we can connect them with. If they're looking to volunteer, we have those opportunities,” Sueskind said.

Recognizing that professional growth is also tied to personal wellbeing, TYP has expanded into lifestyle and wellness programming for its members.

“We can't be good professionals if we're not good people,” Sueskind said.

Last summer, the group hosted a personal style workshop led by a local stylist who taught members how to dress to impress and explore sustainable fabrics. They recently held a myth-busting session led by local dietitians, addressing viral health claims that are not rooted in real science.

“TYP has been invaluable to not just my professional development, but personal as well,” member Wesley Schaeppi said in a testimonial. “I've made friends and connections with some of the most awesome young professionals.”

Angelina Maynes is a University of Arizona alum and reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact her at angelinamaynes@arizona.edu.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.