Since its inception in 2009, Overland Expo has grown exponentially, having expanded to four events, each featuring hundreds of vendors, over 100 presenters, trainers, and VIPs, and more than 500 session hours of education. With so much to choose from, this can be both exhilarating and a bit overwhelming for the first-time attendee to an Overland Expo. With that in mind, here’s a brief introduction to what we have going on, along with some tips to get you going.
Things to Do Before You Arrive
First things first. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, head over here and do that. With your tickets in hand, be sure to download the Overland Expo app. It’s also available in the Google Play and Apple App stores. The official app gives you access to the event map, event schedule, and an easy way to find the vendors or classes you are looking for. The app will be updated with Mountain West-specific info a couple of weeks before the event, so be sure to select Overland Expo Mountain West in the app dropdown menu before you arrive.
Once you arrive, the overland world is your oyster. Here are the highlights to get you on your way:
Educational Opportunities
A huge part of our event revolves around education. Classes are open to everyone and run all day long in our education pavilion, the DIY area, and in some cases, in the vendor area itself. There are a ton of classes ranging from cooking classes at the Tacoma Lifestyle Backcountry Skills and Culinary Skills Area to electrical and solar systems, first aid on the road, budgeting for travel, overland marketing, and nearly two hundred other classes over the course of the three-day event.
For people newer to the overlanding world or people looking to refresh their skills, be sure to check out the classes in the Overland Essentials Area sponsored by Grounded Overland, where you can get a thorough education on foundational skills like trip planning, map reading, and navigation, communications, and what to do if something goes wrong, among many other topics.
If you are looking for a bit of travel inspiration, head over to the new Storytelling Pavilion sponsored by Cascadia Vehicle Tents. As the name suggests, this is the place to hear people like Patty Upton, Graham Jackson, Jason Specht (Mountain State Overland), Matt McClellan (Ozark Overland Adventures), and many more recount their overland adventures. We’ll also be debuting the new Live a Great Story presentation, where Zach Horvath – the “Live a Great Story Guy” will be hosting a mini-TED talk type event where your fellow adventurers will be sharing their stories. There are three full days of inspiration waiting for you at the CVT Storytelling Pavilion.
For those wanting to go deeper into a topic, the Pulsetech Round Table Pavilion hosts roundtable panels and Q&A sessions with our experts. Topics range from travel medicine and wellness to borders, checkpoints, and bribes. Here’s your chance to interact with the people who have done what you want to do.
If you have kids with you, be sure to check out the Kids Adventure Area, where we have kid-centric adventure classes running all weekend long. If your kids want to learn about fire building, first aid, knot tying, or a laundry list of other topics, be sure to stop by. One important note – parents need to stay with their kids at these classes. While the education is oriented toward kids, there is still a lot of great content for parents looking to bone up on their backcountry skills alongside the next generation of overlanders.
Vendors
No doubt, the vendor area is one of the most popular parts of Overland Expo. This year, our Mountain West event has over 300 vendors, and the number is increasing every day. Just about anything overland-related you can imagine can be found for sale, but the most enjoyable thing may be just wandering around and discovering new and interesting kit. You’ll find some in-booth classes, giveaways, and demonstrations going on in the vendor area – a further reward for wandering about a bit. The complete list of vendors can be found here.
You’ll find exclusive deals aplenty throughout the area, with some vendors offering their best prices of the year. If there is something particular you are looking for, check out our evolving show specials list to see some of the best deals to be had.
Guts. Glory. RAM. Ride and Drive
If walking around the vendor area gets you Jonesing to get behind the wheel, look no further than the Guts. Glory. RAM. Ride and Drive. There, you’ll get the chance to test drive a RAM 1500 or 2500 around a custom offroad course designed to show you what these trucks are capable of. Pro-tip – the lines can get long for the Ride and Drive, especially during midday. If this is high on your priority list, you’ll find the best opportunities in the morning. Find out more about the Guts. Glory. RAM. Ride and Drive here.
READ MORE: Overland Expo Unveils 2024 Ultimate Vehicle Build Featuring GMC Canyon AT4X
Relax at the Bivvys
When you’re ready to take a seat, recharge your phone, and plan your next move, but sure to stop by one of the Bivvys placed throughout the event. These pit stops are sponsored by Hankook Tires, power banks are provided by Yoshino Power, and comfortable seats are available via the camp furniture experts at GCI Outdoors.
Happy Hour
After a fun-filled day of classes, food trucks, vendor visits, and socializing with like-minded overlanders, it’s time for a change of pace. Evening activities kick off with happy hour at the Toyo Tires Oasis Bar and Food Court, which runs from 5-7 p.m. each evening of the event. Thursday’s Welcome Happy Hour is sponsored by Patriot Campers, Friday is sponsored by MAXXIS Tires, and Saturday’s Happy Hour is sponsored by Kaymar. Each night, you’ll find a bevy of food options, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices, live music, and a great place to sit, relax, and talk with your newfound Overland Expo friends.
Evening Parties
After Happy Hour wraps up Friday night, be sure to swing by the Toyota booth party and the Torque Wheels booth party, both running from 7-9 PM.
On Saturday night, don’t miss the Overland Expo Foundation Raffle at 7 PM at the Toyo Tires Oasis Bar and Food Court. This is your chance to score tons of prizes while also supporting the Overland Expo Foundation. It’s an Overland Expo tradition and a big hit year after year, so don’t miss out! You can purchase raffle tickets when you get your tickets for Overland Expo online or on-site at the Overland Expo Foundation Booth. Wrapping up your Saturday, be sure to stop by the Rhino Rack Booth Party from 7-9 PM. It’s always a hit with attendees.
