Overland Expo has been offering great educational opportunities across a variety of skill sets for over a decade, and 2024 will see the launch of a totally revamped Overland Expo Training at Overland Expo PNW, June 28-30, at the Deschutes Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. The Overland Expo Training pass can be added to any camping or day pass package during the ticketing process.
We sat down with Chris Walker, the Director of Training for Overland Expo, to learn a bit more about the new format.
Overland Expo: What can you tell us about your role with Overland Expo?
Chris Walker: My role as Director of Training at Overland Expo is to work with the Director of Show and the Director of Programming to design and deliver Overland Expo Training in all aspects. It is a rewarding and challenging role that is constantly evolving with the business and markets. The goal is to deliver the best possible hands-on off-road education within the Overland Expo show series, using the best equipment and the best industry professional instructors.
Overland Expo: What can attendees expect from the new format of Overland Expo Training?
Chris Walker: The new format OET is a gentle departure from what we have previously delivered. This year, we have four pillars: Driving Skills (on our off-road course); Preparedness, where we look at everything safety and preparation-based to help ensure you have safe overland adventures; Maintenance, where we take a deep dive into vehicle mechanics and trail repairs; and lastly, Vehicle Recovery where we focus on giving the participants a true understanding of what is required and most importantly to help increase your safety.
Overland Expo: We know that Overland Expo Training is for all skill levels, but can you offer words of assurance for anyone who might be unsure?
Chris Walker: It is important to remember our professional instructors are there for you. They have the skills, knowledge, and teaching experience to understand your current skill set and your goals and to deliver the training that fits you. We are advocates of dynamic teaching and do not teach to a script. This allows you to have any experience level and gain new skills and knowledge no matter your background. We want you to drive away with a big smile, having felt safe, valued, and respected for your attendance.
Our classes are dynamic; they do and will continue to cater to all skill levels. Every single one of us can always learn from every single person in the class. If you leave your ego at the gate and allow the instructors to engage you in a variety of ways through mutual respect, the classes are a lot of fun. We really enjoy your input, no matter the skill level.
Overland Expo: There are a lot of other events now that offer training, Overland Expo was the first, but what keeps Overland Expo Training as the best option for overlanders to get trained? What sets Overland Expo Training apart from the rest?
Chris Walker: That is a great question. First off, I want to be respectful; I think there are lots of great education opportunities out there. That being said, Overland Expo was the first to offer training in the overland event space some 15 years ago now. The original Overland Expos were centered around training, and that has been at the very core of the show series ever since. If you take a look at the volume, breadth, and depth of education offered within the General Education Area and Overland Expo Training area, there are no equivalents out there in the space, not even close.
What we have is a team of career instructors on the roster, some of whom have been around since those very first days of Overland Expo and have lifelong skills and experience in teaching skills relevant and important to overland travel. What we focus on is what you should learn, the relevant skills, and the skills that will help you in the field to keep you safe, respect the environment, and protect your assets (vehicle, equipment, etc.). Our ethos is to teach you the skills that fit the purpose and not to teach the skills that make us look cool as instructors. This ethos can only come from experience, from experience as a professional career instructor.
Our roster of team members is impressive. They have hundreds of years of combined experience from across the globe, with instructors who work in industry, equipment testing and manufacturing, vehicle manufacturers, expedition guides, consultants, and all who have their own successful businesses working with a wide range of clients in a wide range of austere environments.
READ MORE: Get Your Exclusive Gear at Overland Expo
Overland Expo: What aspect of OET are you most excited about?
Chris Walker: Free snacks! I think I am most excited about the camaraderie, the excitement I see when people learn in a fun, professional, and safe way, being thrilled to take home newly learned skills and being confident to apply them on their next trips.
Overland Expo: Now, since you’re no stranger to Overland Expo in general, what’s your favorite part of the events? And you can’t choose snacks this time.
Chris Walker: That’s a really hard question. There is so much to see and do at these huge shows these days. I think in a nutshell, it is the community, seeing friends and colleagues from across the continent or further afield is always a highlight.
It is always great to enjoy conversations, be it with friends within the vendor areas such as Paul and Mario (the OG’s of the event), to Jonathon and Roseanne (the founders), to watching some of the film presentations by seasoned travelers, to enjoying the presentations in the General Education area, enjoying the “launch” of new products and vehicles, to the happy hours and in vendor parties.
Really though for me, it is spending time with our participants in the General Education Area or the Overland Expo Training area. These moments of time where we help people on their journey to safe off road travel is irreplaceable. Seeing the smiles, the nervous laughs, the moments of joy during the success of learning a skill and the light bulb moments as a new skill or piece of knowledge suddenly makes sense is my key driver in the industry. You cannot replace these moments.
Overland Expo: We 100% agree! It’s amazing how many connections you can make at the events. Thanks for giving us so much insight into Overland Expo Training. We can’t wait to see you and the team.
