CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 400 media reps from across the country were in Charlotte on Tuesday to check out the arena and the convention center ahead of next year's Republican National Convention.
"Today's one of those great milestones," said Republican National Convention Vice President Max Everett.
You could call it the unofficial kick-off to the 2020 RNC.
"This is gonna be a big deal for Charlotte and the entire region, North and South Carolina, gonna get so much money, great opportunity to show off Charlotte is a great place to live and work," Everett said.
Tuesday was the day to show off – specifically for the media. Hundreds of crews from across the country came to Charlotte to help prep for the big week in August.
"It's really an opportunity for Charlotte to shine on an international stage, and we think that’s one of the reasons Charlotte wanted to have a convention here they know the value of that," said Everett.
But he also knows not everyone wanted the convention here.
"Really, the convention is about the civic process and that’s important no matter the party or anything else," Everett said.
Making sure everything goes off without a hitch is also important. The Secret Service is already working with local law enforcement on what we’re told will be even more security than we had during the Democratic National Convention seven years ago.
"They're doing a tremendous amount of work and have been for months to prepare for it everyone wants to have a safe great convention," said Everett.
The arena may seem empty now but come next August, 50,000 people will be in Charlotte for the convention. NBC Charlotte will have you covered every step of the way.