AKA and Alpha conventions to bring $1.3M boost to Jackson’s economy by

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Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members have converged on Jackson, and their sisters of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will follow next week.

And while there will be plenty of reunions and charity talk among the members, the two conventions are expected to pump nearly $1.3 million into Jackson’s economy, figures from the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau show.

The men, who are pulling from their Southern region, will have about 1,000 members in town from seven states. The women will welcome around 3,000 members from three states, a Southeast convention, said Floyd Williams Jr., a fraternity member and a director of national accounts for the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The AKA convention is expected to generate nearly $840,000 in economic activity, including the more than 2,000 hotel rooms rented during their stay.

Jimmy Sanders Jr., general manager of the Roberts Walthall Hotel, said the conventions have added another dimension to the hotel’s business, which generally caters to business travelers.

“To have weekend activity provides a great impact, Sanders said. He noted that the hotel has booked more than 500 additional rooms from visitors attending the two conventions.

“It brings a sense of excitement to the downtown area,” Sanders said of the dollars convention-goers are spending at his hotel and other businesses in the city.

Sanders said the events are the start of something big as the city works to develop convention business with the addition of the convention center last year.

The two conventions are among the largest for Jackson, said Williams, noting that the city typically hosts events attracting between 300 and 1,000 visitors.

Williams said he had hoped the two organizations could hold their conventions simultaneously, but there wasn’t enough space in the city to accommodate all the sessions and activities the two organizations planned.

The men’s convention – themed “Developing Leaders Dedicated to Making a Difference” – will feature Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., who is a member of the group.

Nationally, members of historically black fraternities and sororities remain active after college. The organizations often host charitable events, an element of maintaining their focus on community service. These regional meetings are often pivotal in the group’s setting their local and national priorities.

In addition to supporting historically black colleges and universities, AKA’s service goals in this region include improving children’s healthcare.

Members of the AKA sorority will meet with members of the Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday. They’re expected to discuss issues relating to education, literacy and obesity.

Camille Scales Young, a 37-year-old Madison resident, will be among those attending the AKA convention

“I get to renew and establish relationships with members of the sorority,” Scales said, adding that she and other members will also talk about the organization’s policies, goals and charitable work.

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