Overland Expo is excited to share one of our most expansive educational programs ever to close out the 2025 event season!
When we return to Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia October 3-5, Overland Expo East will be offering 275 session-hours of incredible programs. These include 250+ different classes, slideshows, demonstrations, and activities, led by more than 50 instructors and presenters from around the world. From beginner to advanced sessions, covering everything from wilderness first aid to working on the road with a Starlink to winching and recovery, there is a session for everyone.
See the full schedule for Overland Expo East here and dive into the details below.
Learn From Iconic Travel Photographer Chris McCormack
Chris McCormack is a seasoned travel photographer, motivational speaker, and humanitarian who has explored more than 30 countries in the past decade. At Overland Expo East, you will be able to hear Chris speak about his adventures in Iceland, Mongolia, and Guatemala and he will also lead seminars on adventure photography and solo travel. He has long been one of our most popular instructors at Overland Expo East, captivating audiences with his innate ability to transport them into other cultures and landscapes, channeled through his storytelling.
Across his insightful sessions, Chris will share hard-earned lessons from his many years of solo travel experiences, offer great insights for documenting and capturing stunning images in remote environments, and reminisce with the audience through stories from his adventure moto travels around the world.
Whether you are preparing for your first solo expedition, wanting to hone in your photography skills, or inspired by stories from the road, you’ll leave inspired and motivated to start planning your next adventure. You can learn more about his work at TheChrisMcCormack.net.
Meet Amazing Explorers at Women Who Wander
Overland Expo introduced the Women Who Wander program in 2024, creating a dedicated space for women overlanders of all experience levels to connect and share their incredible journeys with the community. We are thrilled to continue this female-focused education program this year sponsored by U-Haul International.
We are excited to welcome back Alan Glick with his popular two-part Safety Tips for Women Overlanders seminar; Charley Grace will lead the Solo Female Overlanding Panel on Friday afternoon at 4pm; and Nikimbre’ Daniels will teach a class about Herbs for Women’s Health on the Road. For an unmatched perspective on how the overland space has evolved for female overlanders, join Denise Cook’s session at 11am on Saturday to hear about her life of overland travel, which spans 50 years around the world.
As part of our female-specific programming, we’ll host a Women Who Wander Community Conversation & Networking Event in the Oasis Bar & Food Court Sponsored by Blue Compass RV / Airstream of Virginia, on Saturday evening from 6-7pm. Guests are invited to gather around the campfire for an evening of connection and inspiration, as women from across the off-road and overland community share their stories. Enjoy drinks, light snacks, and the camaraderie of fellow adventurers under the lights.
Explore Rigs in the Showcase & DIY Vehicle Area
The Showcase & DIY Vehicle Area highlights a curated collection of rigs spanning a wide range of applications, from daily drivers outfitted for weekend adventure to purpose-build, around-the-world expedition vehicles. Attendees will have the chance to tour a 1994 Stuart & Stevenson, a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend, 2004 Land Rover Discovery SE7, and a 2015 Subaru Forester to name a few.
Get an up-close look at how adventurers design, build, and customize their dream overland setups. The Showcase & DIY Vehicle Area is always a crowd favorite and a great source of inspiration for anyone planning their next build or upgrades to their current vehicle.
Overland Essentials Area Sponsored by Midland Radio
For anyone looking to build their skills, the Overland Essentials Area Sponsored by Midland Radio Corp. is a deep dive into the gear experts swear by and essential overlanding skills. This area will host entry-level overland education, including Graham Jackson’s sessions on trip planning, recovery kits, and 4WD systems. Other highlights include intro and advanced GMRS classes, a Stop the Bleed certification, and seminars on overland tech and security.
Visit the area to learn lifelong skills such as practical camping tips and tricks, discover how to pack more efficiently (and what to leave behind), and get hands-on knowledge that will be sure to elevate your experience on your next trip.
Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion
At the Backcountry & Culinary Pavilion, discover how seasoned travelers pack their rigs and feed themselves on-the-go. From camp cooking and gear tutorials to traveling with pets on your next journey, this space is filled with knowledgeable experts to help you. A main highlight this year will be Top Chef Season 13 finalist, Chef Chad White, leading classes for attendees.
ADV Skills Area
The ADV Skills Area, our dedicated motorcycle education space, will feature essential maintenance classes alongside inspiring sessions focused on riding and exploring Mongolia and Mexico. Attendees can learn how to BDR-proof their bikes and gain a better understanding of rider positioning.
Kids Adventure Area
The Kids Adventure Area is home to a packed weekend of activities tailored to adventurous kids and their parents. With activities such as ‘Cool Games for Camp’, knot tying and a scavenger hunt, kids can jump into adventures and skill building sessions of their choice. The Overland Expo Foundation RC Course will be open throughout the weekend for kids (and parents) of all ages.
Roundtable Pavilion
From regional Q&As to expert tips, Roundtable Panels can help you plan for the trip of a lifetime. If you are craving expert insight, these conversations connect you with travelers who share tips and motivational tales from the road.
In addition to the dedicated education pavilions, the vendor area is a great place to observe detailed product demonstrations from a variety of brands. It’s the perfect chance to see the latest and greatest in action, for everything from solar cooking to rooftop tents to air compressors and recovery equipment. Check the full event schedule for exhibitor demos and be sure to add the ones you’re interested in to your schedule.
Beyond the incredibly useful training classes, hands-on sessions, and product demonstrations, Overland Expo continues to create a platform to inspire and educate. Friday’s Film Premiere sponsored by OK4WD, is a full-feature trailer with highlights from their video series, “Hammer Down 6,” releasing on YouTube January 2026.
From educational panels and a multitude of classes to inspiring films, Overland Expo East offers something for every adventurer. View the full event schedule here and be sure to download the official Overland Expo App which will be updated with information for Overland Expo East before the event.
