CCIM Institute Southern Arizona Chapter Lunch Program to Focus on Growth, Economic Identity and Tucson’s Future
TUCSON, AZ (June 4, 2026) — The CCIM Institute Southern Arizona Chapter will host its June 2026 lunch meeting, “Save Tucson Now!”, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hacienda del Sol.
The program will feature Fletcher J. McCusker, CEO and founder of UAVenture Capital and chairman of the Rio Nuevo Tax District, and Karen Schutte, publisher and editor of Trend Report and Real Estate Daily News. Jason Wong, CCIM, will moderate the discussion. The discussion will focus on Tucson and Southern Arizona’s economic future as the region faces increasing competition for jobs, investment, talent, and business growth.
The event theme states that “Tucson and Southern Arizona are at a crossroad; it is time to choose growth, strengthen its economic identity, and create better opportunities for tomorrow.”
The conversation comes as Southern Arizona business and real estate leaders are taking a closer look at how the region positions itself for growth, how it competes with other Arizona markets, and how public- and private-sector leaders can better align around economic development priorities.
McCusker brings a long record of entrepreneurial, investment, and downtown revitalization experience to the discussion. As chairman of Rio Nuevo, he has been closely involved in major redevelopment efforts, business attraction, and investment activity in downtown Tucson and the surrounding areas.
Schutte will bring perspectives on commercial real estate market reporting, private-sector deal activity, and the recently launched Growth Council conversation featured in the Trend Report. That effort has focused on identifying barriers to growth, improving regional communication, and giving market participants a constructive forum to discuss what Southern Arizona needs to do next.
The CCIM luncheon is expected to address why Tucson’s economic identity matters, how the region can communicate its strengths more effectively, and why stronger alignment among business, real estate, and civic leaders is increasingly important.
The meeting will be held at Hacienda del Sol on Tuesday, June 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.