Overland Expo - Prescott AZ April 24 - 26, 2009

[News]

News

[Stats]

Stats

[NismoCC]

The first ever Overland Expo is being held in Prescott AZ this year. It should be a very cool event to attend.

From the Website:
Overlanding is a different way of exploring our world - whether 100 miles or 10,000 miles from home - in comfort, safety, and style. It's camping like you've never experienced.

Overland Expo.2009 is an all-new and exclusive event for people who see their 4WD or ADV motorcycle as a means to adventure and exploration, and who see travel as a portal to learning about the world, as well as a means to conserving its beauty and preserving its unique cultures.

No other event for 4WD or motorcycles combines intensive education modules, social opportunities to visit with hundreds of other enthusiasts and to share information and experiences, and a wide array of product and service vendors just for overlanding-related activities, both mechanized and human-powered. Service and conservation organizations, land agencies, and clubs/associations will also be on-hand April 24 - 26, 2009.

For more information and tickets please check out: http://www.ovexpo.com/

[NismoCC]

Is there any interest in this? This is going to be a really cool event...

I am going for sure and will be doing some camping up there.  I also plan to run the Smiley Rock trail while I am there with either a group that has already planned a run or with fellow ONAZers if there is interest.

Anyone else?!?!?!

[AZ-Ted]

Joe (08WhiteX) and his wife are going up on Sunday.  I might follow them up there.

[NismoCC]

Joe (08WhiteX) and his wife are going up on Sunday.  I might follow them up there.

Cool as it gets closer, we will have to plan to meet somewhere inside or outside of the Expo.

[iparks81]

looks like a really cool event, but id have to say (and take No offence) it sounds like they've worded it for the Yuppy/bunnyhugger. why cant they stick with the traditional sence of "we're going to have an offroad event", instead they call it "overlanding" and as a portal to learning  about, and, conserving the outdoors....c,mon really...your gonna be smashin small trees and running over just as much undergrowth no matter what the hell you call it....
hmmm

Looks like a great event, i hope to attend!

[NismoCC]

No offense taken... 
 
However, there does seem to be a significant difference between what most people call "4wheeling" which encompasses many OHV types and activities and "Overlanding" which is indeed 4wheeling, however more focused on the vehicle dependant exploration aspect. No matter how careful all of us are, we will make an impact in nature in someway. Sometimes small trees do get smashed, and sometimes undergrowth does get trampled, but it really is everyone's responsibility to follow the rules of Tread Lightly as much as possible.  Not only for the benefit of themselves, but for that of others who enjoy the back country and even more so for future enthusiasts to enjoy it as well. Overlanding tends to be more sensitive to this topic and avoiding the disruption of other cultures you encounter while exploring wherever it is around the world you may be doing said exploring.

That being said, the event will showcase lots of really cool products of all kinds, along with the ability to purchase these products at discounted prices. There are classes to sign up for which include everything from vehicle recovery to back country cooking hehe. There isn't going to be much "offroading" at the event it self other than the test track and that which you will do in some of the classes.

[iparks81]

ok, that explanation puts it in better terms 
hopefully ill be able to make it up, what type of turnout is expected, lots of advertizing for this?

[NismoCC]

ok, that explanation puts it in better terms 
hopefully ill be able to make it up, what type of turnout is expected, lots of advertizing for this?

Cool! I would expect the turnout to be near 1,000 persons.  There are people coming from all over the world for this event.  Lots of people from North America. Lots of advertising in the Offroad community. It seems they have done a great job putting this together.

[NismoCC]

Anyone else interested? Maybe just for the trail run and camping?

Titan where are you?! 

[Titan28881]

im here lol... idk if i can go tho.

[AZ-Ted]

I still plan on meeting up with Laurence and Mike on Sunday.

[Titan28881]

ide like to go. but ill be in phx. and the truck is broken. what trail you running? and where are you guys campin?

[Inyourface1650]

smiley rock I think laurence said

[Titan28881]

up or down? and i will try to run smiley with u guys i love that trail.

[NismoCC]

Here is some news from Expo regarding the Overland Expo 2009.  As you can see the vendor list and exhibitors is going to be awesome:

We are fast gaining a list of Exhibitors and Feature Vehicles that will be the largest single gathering of the best and coolest expedition vehicles and equipment together in one show ever - be prepared to be amazed! (Drool containment requested)

Breaking news: AEV will be with Jeep to show off their fantastic new J8 MilSpec diesel, and Jeep will have an Overland version of a JK; also, XPCamper will debut with a brand new vehicle.

Adventure Trailers
Arizona Off-Road Recovery
American Expedition Vehicles (AEV)
ARB
Arizona Game & Fish
Arizona 4x4 Off Road Recovery
AutohomeUS
Baja Designs / Solatek
Baja Racks
Campa Trailers
Camping Lab
Disabled Explorers
EarthRoamer
EcoRoamer
Equipt Expedition Outfitters
Ex Officio
Expedition Exchange
Expeditions West
Expeditioneers
Four Wheel Campers
Sportsvans.us
Global Expedition Vehicles
Holt Webb Photography
Ironhorse BMW
Jeep
Jeep Expeditions.org
KC HiLites
Land Rover Las Vegas
Lois Pryce - Loisontheloose.com
Lost World Expedition
Manzanita Outdoor
Muskoka Foundation / EcoRoamer
NOLS
Off-Road Trail Tools
Outlander Trailers
Overland Books & Video
Overland Journal
Overland Society
Overland Training
P.R. Inc.
Plant Drive
Prescott National Forest
Safari Pacific
Sportsmobile / Aluminess Products
Terra Ultima Expeditions - Jorge Valdez
TLo’s Ultimate Off-road
Total Vision
Toyota of Dallas / TRDParts4U.com
Tread Lightly
Tuffy
Turtle Expedition
Two Around the World
U4WDA
Unicat Americas
Ursa Minor Vehicles - eCamper
Viking Off-road
Wheelers for the Wounded
Wide Open Adventures
XP Camper
YotaTech – Feature Vehicle
ZMW Adventures