President Donald Trump and Republican leaders from across the country are gathering in Dallas, Texas, for the party’s first-ever midterm convention, with the November elections less than two months away.

The two-day event, scheduled for September 9 and 10 at the American Airlines Center, is intended to promote the Republican Party’s agenda and spotlight candidates running in congressional and other races across the country.

Unlike a traditional presidential nominating convention, the gathering will not involve formal nomination proceedings. Instead, Republicans are using the event to highlight policy priorities, mobilize supporters and present their message ahead of elections that will determine control of Congress.

The Republican National Committee says the convention will showcase the Trump administration’s record and the party’s candidates while outlining its priorities for the future.

Among the issues expected to feature prominently are immigration and border security, taxes, the economy, education, health care and efforts to lower prescription drug prices.

Trump is scheduled to appear on both nights of the convention, while Vice President JD Vance is expected to deliver a keynote address on the opening night.

The gathering will also provide speaking opportunities for Republican candidates running in House, Senate and other races.

However, several Republican candidates facing competitive races are not expected to attend, choosing instead to remain in their districts or states as campaigning intensifies ahead of the November 3 elections.

The convention comes as Republicans seek to maintain their congressional majorities while navigating voter concerns over the economy, inflation and other domestic and international issues.

With Election Day approaching, the Dallas gathering represents an unusual effort by the Republican Party to use a national convention outside a presidential election year to promote its candidates and consolidate its campaign message for the final stretch of the midterm campaign.

The convention dates, location and first-of-its-kind status are confirmed by the official convention site, while current reporting confirms Trump’s central role and that some candidates in competitive races are staying away.