– The Republican National Committee will make its first formal visit to Kansas City on Friday, as it continues to narrow down sites for the 2016 Republican National Convention.

In a statement on Thursday, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party Ed Martin noted the significance of Kansas City to the party: It’s where Ronald Reagan made his debut.

“We are calling for Republican across the Midwest to send a statement to the RNC by volunteering their time ahead of 2016,” he said. “We have an extraordinary opportunity before us and we plan on capturing it and securing Kansas City’s place in history.”

Tomrrow’s visit will take place prior to the RNC’s Spring Meeting in May, when the committee will select sites for official visits by the RNC. According to the RNC, staff from the site selection committee will visit the six cities “for a more in-depth and technical look at financing, convention venues, media workspace, and hotels.”

The Republican National Committee is expected to make a final decision later this summer.