Iowa Republican Party chairman Jeff Kaufmann and three key party staff members were closely watching the mechanics of Thursday night’s debate that featured 10 of the party’s presidential candidates.

The Republican Party of Iowa will co-host a candidate debate in January with FOX News. Kaufmann was in Cleveland on Thursday for the first debate featuring the party’s 2016 prospects, but he gave his ticket into the arena where the debate was held to a staffer. That staffer kept an eye on activity inside the hall. Kaufmann was in a nearby hotel, watching the debate on T-V with a group that included an official with the Republican National Committee who’s been organizing the presidential debates.

Kaufmann’s key “take away” from the experience in Cleveland? Do not “skimp” on the preparations for January’s debate.