We’ve revamped our education and training programming at PNW — come check it out!
So, what’s new?
Back in the fall, we sent out one of the largest surveys Overland Expo has ever shared, looking for information and guidance from you, our attendees, about what you’re looking for when it comes to off-road vehicle training. It was looking for a lot of information, and so many of you filled it out to give us helpful insight into what you love most about our events an what makes us stand out
We asked. You answered. We listened.
Off-road driving training has long been a highlight of the attendee experience at Overland Expo. As with all elements of our events, we work to keep this component fresh and value-driven and our survey highlighted the importance of this aspect of our events and how beneficial our training programming in general is for our attendees. As a result, we completely revamped our Training program sponsored by ComeUp Winch USA at our Pacific Northwest event to offer three different experiences to meet the goals that survey respondents expressed when it comes to getting trained at Overland Expo:
Overland Expo Training on Thursday only: Many people expressed a desire not to miss out on the main part of the event during the weekend, so we added a Thursday day-long training program. Attendees of this program receive a full day of training in both hands-on, static and on course / in vehicle settings. They also get to arrive early, camp for an additional day and enjoy a VIP luncheon experience. (Tickets for this training are sold out, but at the time of publishing this post, attendees can still purchase the other two options.)
Trail Course Experience: We’re excited to bring the core principles of Overland Expo’s premium training program at a lower price to a wider attendee audience with the Trail Course Driving Experience sponsored by ComeUp Winch USA. This option is available to any pass holder on Friday while tickets are available. (More information and tickets HERE.)
Private Training: For attendees looking to really hone their off-road overlanding and recovery skills, our Overland Expo Trainers will conduct an extremely limited number of private training sessions on Saturday. Participants will get to choose exactly what they want to focus on for a completely custom training experience. (More information and tickets HERE.)
The Learning Lab
We strive to ensure that there is something for EVERY attendee at Overland Expo, whether you’re new to overlanding or if you’ve already taken a few laps around the globe. The Learning Lab is filled with more niche subject matter that may not be of interest to every attendee, but we know it will be of interest to a few, and we’re all about quality over quantity when it comes to engaging educational opportunities. You’ll find classes here like Washing and Caring for Down (Adrian Roadman); DIY Tips, Tricks and Hacks (Bevan Walsh); Best Route for Overlanding Across Europe (Dan Lin) and much more!
Back from Travels Around the World with Tales to Tell:
Meet our youngest instructors, Cedar and Sage Bishop, and their parents Diana and Jeremy during a presentation about their recent Pan American Highway journey, Overlanding Unfiltered: From Canada to Patagonia with 1 Family, 1 Van, and a 1000 Surprises, at 1pm in the Storytelling Pavilion. Click here to learn more about the Bishop family.
Megan and Gordon Mueller — and their furry co-presenter, Gus — will share essential information for anyone looking to travel the Pan American with their pup during their Friday 3pm session in the Overland Essentials Area sponsored by Midland Radio titled, My Dog’s Been to More Countries Than Your Dog: Traveling the Pan Am with Gus.
Our UK contingent, Lisa Morris and Jason Spafford will infotain attendees during their Four Wheeled Nomad: 11 Years on the Road, 7 Continents, One Epic Ride by Moto & 4×4! presentation at 4pm on Friday in the Storytelling Pavilion.
Join The Lin Family on Saturday at 10am in the Storytelling Pavilion for their session, 17 Years Overlanding As a Family Across 49 States, 53 Countries, 5 Continents.
Later that day, catch round-the-world travelers from ‘Down Under’, Ken and Tony Butler, for their session titled: I.N.D.I.A.: I’ll Never Do It Again! at 2pm in the Storytelling Pavilion.
For the first time at Overland Expo PNW, we’re featuring the Hands-on Pavilion sponsored by Quad Lock for in-depth intensives on everything from traditional To Hi-Lift or Not (Todd Rodgers) to Splint Happens: Improvised First Aid for Overland Travel (Zach Elseman). This area will also host traditional navigation and knot tying classes.
But Don’t Worry – We’re Keeping Your Favorite Parts of Our Programming:
The Overland Essentials Area Sponsored by Midland Radio Corp. will have a full roster of classes and seminars designed for those who are just beginning to get into overlanding. Graham Jackson will teach his quintessential Pre-Drive Checks class on Friday and Sunday; Scott Jensen will teach Radio 101 and 201 level class throughout the weekend, and Connie Rodman will provide invaluable insights into day-to-day living on the road and how to do it better (and more happily).
Local PNW Top Chef Alum, Chef Chad White, will be demonstrating “Ceviche in the Wild” in the Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion sponsored by Boss Lighting throughout the weekend. Matt McClellan of Ozark Overland Adventures will give us a Gaia GPS Layers Deep Dive on Saturday at 2pm and Ching Fu will give advice about finding legitimate campsites on Friday and Sunday.
Our Creator Area and Storytelling Pavilion are filled with some of the most talented photographers and videographers in the Overland Community. The Showcase & DIY Area will feature some extremely well-built overland vehicles, with their owners standing by to give rig tours are share the secrets behind their builds. The Roundtable Pavilion will host panel discussion on everything from traveling through Canada and Alaska to how to survive overlanding as a couple. Our Kids Adventure Area will be alive with activity between the Overland Expo Foundation Kids Remote Control Course and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Youth ATV Safety Trailer.
There is so much more in store for attendees at Overland Expo Pacific Northwest – we can’t wait for you to see it! Check out the full schedule HERE! As always, the schedule will remain available on the website throughout the event and in print on-site in our Overland Expo Pacific Northwest Newspaper. But for the most up-to-date version of the schedule, please view it on our Overland Expo App once we get closer to the event.
If you haven’t already purchased tickets, be sure to click the button below so you can catch the fun, learn from the pros, and get inspired. See you there!
