The SECRETS of Overland Expo

[@nwstoic8117]

Redmond OR local here who will also be helping at the expo. All good advice. This year Kakadu is the camping shower sponsor and will be providing hot showers for all campers to show off their portable battery operated shower. Shower Hours are Thursday 5-9pm, Friday/Sat 6-9:30am and 5:30-9pm, and Sunday 6am-11am. Be nice to the people assisting at the showers as I’m one of them 😂 Regarding the sun/heat remember that this is high desert so we are at about 3000ft and the sun feels a bit more intense at that altitude.

[@Venture2Roam]

Fantastic information!! Thank you for posting this!!

[@toddshook1765]

Thanks so much for these tips. The first expo I attended was Flagstaff 3 years ago. I attended a seminar on reperpuse vehicles for overlanding. Some old military trucks, ambulances, busses, etc. Great advice. Another was on motorcycle travel. I don’t do motorcycle overlanding but great to hear the stories the their travel tips.

[@Bronc_Riding]

This was our very first time attending an Overland Expo and your advice was immensely helpful to be well prepared and make the best of it.

[@Venture2Roam]

So glad to hear it!!

[@Bronc_Riding]

Meeting you, David and some of the other creators at the potluck was definitely an added bonus at OX PNW. We had a great time.

[@Venture2Roam]

@@Bronc_Riding That's so cool to hear. Was awesome meeting you too.

[@paulseidel5819]

Thanks will. We will be there as newbies. Bringing water, sunscreen and hats.

[@Venture2Roam]

See you there!

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Hi Will, I hope all is well with family? I found this video to be very informative. Thank you for sharing! 😊

[@Venture2Roam]

Thank you!!

[@overland_dadsfl]

We went last year for the first time to OE in Virginia . We had an awesome time there and we took pictures with you, Rob and Matt Brodie. We are going again this October and hoping for a even better experience.

[@Venture2Roam]

East was a lot of fun. We'll see if I can make it back this year...if I do, I'm sure we'll hang again.

[@glenncourtney4876]

Love the otters at the High Desert Museum. We go about once a year on our way to visit family in N CA.

[@midnightadventureswa]

Good morning Will great video. This will be my third year going to the PNW one thing you should mention in your video and maybe I missed it is if you’re bringing your dog be mindful of the asphalt walkways the last two years it has been extremely hot. For dog paws and your right bring water but if you need some bldg 11 has a water fountain in it that you can fill your water bottle with and a. Solar panel to keep your battery packs well charged. For the vip camping last year and it was great nice grass area with bathrooms, clothes and showers dedicated for that area from geyser from what I can remember geyser was open as early as 6 o’clock in the morning and it is late as 9 o’clock at night

[@Venture2Roam]

This will be my 3rd year too. Thanks for adding this info..very helpful!!

[@TrailNewbie]

Looking forward to PNW later this week! It’s going to be awesome!! 👏🏼 Great video Will … perfectly presented! 👊🏼👏🏼👍🏼😀 See you there!

[@leemen]

Great ideas in this video. I go to expos to see all the new gear and talk to “no name” venders. So agree on walking around a campground and talking to people. We have met so many nice people and builds that otherwise we would have never seen. Can’t wait to crash a party your throwing. Lol.

[@Venture2Roam]

I hope everyone crashes my party!

[@GirdlerFamilyOverland]

Man I wish it wasn't a 30 hour drive from Texas! Bend has a special place in my heart, visited my grandparents living there many a time. I second the High Desert Museum, it's excellent! There are also many great breweries in Bend you can do tours of. I enjoyed the tour of the Deschutes Brewery last time I was there. Have fun all!

[@Venture2Roam]

Great comment, thanks for sharing. TX is a long way from any of the expos!

[@OverlandTravelAdventures]

Thanks!

[@Venture2Roam]

🙌👍🤜🏻💥🤛🏻. Thank you!!

[@user-tj3yi9zj4m]

Spot on. The PNW expo is way more fun.... and the V2R crew is a blast to hang with! just a fewww more days!

[@Venture2Roam]

I'm excited for PNW this year. Gonna be a lot of fun to see everyone in one place.

[@jayamos456]

Awesome, see you there 😊

[@Venture2Roam]

See you there!

[@TundraCore24]

Love the HDM! Also, float the Deschuttes on a tube

[@Venture2Roam]

Great tip!! I haven’t done that yet…but am putting it on my list of things to try!

[@VictorVlogsPDX]

Thanks for this Will. We'll be there next week for the first time ever and we're beyond excited. These were really useful tips. Hoping to get to meet you!

[@Venture2Roam]

Right on! You'll have a blast I'm sure. Saturday night at 8pm we're throwing a bourbon potlouck..consider this your invite. Look for more deets on IG.

[@scottclukey2424]

Thanks Will for a great EXPO overview how to. I have yet to attend an EXPO, but really looking forward to attending my first

[@Venture2Roam]

They can be a lot of fun!

[@flyfisher530]

Good advice Will! See you there in a few days! 🙌

[@Venture2Roam]

Thanks Mike! Looking forward to seeing you!

[@OverlandTravelAdventures]

Great information

[@Venture2Roam]

Thank you!!

[@canyonoverland5003]

I'm going to my first Overland Expo in a few days - which happens to be PNW. Coming in from the Vancouver area of British Columbia. Well done and thanks for the tips!

[@Venture2Roam]

Hope you have a blast!

[@brianfitzpatrick4437]

I got a fantastic idea for a kitchen gear box made from a side storage box like you would see on a semi trailer at Expo East a couple years ago just by walking around. Great video And I love the party crashing suggestion😂

[@Venture2Roam]

Very cool. It is fun to just roam around 😎

[@theloneranger6758]

Will, thanks for this video. I'm going to be overlanding the Colorado BDR. It happens that Expo Mountain West will be going on as I finish the trail. I have my tickets and camping ticket. Your video was very helpful for what I can expect for the Expo! Thanks!

[@Venture2Roam]

So glad to hear it was helpful!!

[@JohnBowen-fe3jb]

Thanks Will. Excellent content1

[@Venture2Roam]

Thank you. Hope if was helpful!

[@donnapablos8752]

Rv next door at the Rv park is the way we do it but thank Will for the heads up. Don and Donna

[@Venture2Roam]

Good tip!!

[@Vengar_VR]

We are doing the RV park this year too! We did the VIP camp last year in the 100 degree temps in a tear drop trailer. This year we purchased a Hike 100 trailer and want the AC 😂 Hope to see you at the show Will ( and maybe Don and Donna!)

[@coffee-dogg]

Another great educational video. My first comment is Men should not wear flip flops, ok, enough said about that. I was not able to go to this one as planned, but my daughter was there and we have been talking all day long about the amazing booths that are hosted by the small companies. They love talking about their product and what drove them to design and bring to market. She did not know about the app, so I instantly stopped your video ( i mean paused, PAUSED, I did not stop it, really) and sent her the link. She will be able to use it tomorrow. With all the running around I am asking her to do ( and she is 8 1/2 months pregnant) the map is a godsend. thanks for that tip. The new shirt logo look cool, are you going to keep it? Cheers...

[@Venture2Roam]

Who said I was a man...man-boy is more like it, so I think I can get away with flip flops until I officially grow up :) So glad you you liked the vid..love this comment BTW.

[@fiftyshadesofurban]

13:18 "Cooking at camp, taught by experts" Taught by Marco. Got it. 😂

[@Venture2Roam]

He’s the best. Also a genuinely nice guy!

[@russellzauner]

There are nearby fires but LaPine is still open, so if camping sold out someone might be able to find a spot just around the corner.

[@Gretchen_Trouble]

I got a VIP ticket because I need breaks from people and figured it would be less busy there.

[@Venture2Roam]

You’re probably right about that. That’s a good reason to get a VIP I think.

[@WheresWiseman]

Great info! You really need to put googly eyes on your white rotopax in the background 😅

[@Venture2Roam]

That's a great idea lol

[@bajasoobnut]

VIP pass is definitely not worth it, I did it last year and sure you get a lil more room but the rest of the stuff is lackluster, everyone we knew were camping in the general area, and just the general vibe for paying $100 extra per ticket was the major clincher. We might try coming back next year and hopefully the temps are not as bad as it was last year because that was a turnoff as well, pissed off both my fiance and I seeing people with their dogs out in that heat as well (this was the PNW expo btw). Having the background I have with the experience I also have doing other events (working and participating in, thanks CAP) it felt a bit disorganized at times as well especially check in as the email I got the day before said to go one place but then when we got there it was in a completely different area and only had one person doing the check in. But Will I do appreciate that you made this video as it helps out everyone.

[@Venture2Roam]

I tend to agree with most of your assessment. It could definitely be better, and I'm not a big fan of the VIP thing...it feels like a money grab.

[@bajasoobnut]

@@Venture2Roam with my experience it is just that, a money grab

[@maxtwombly766]

Great video. Makes me want to go. If I were to go, where/when/how would i find your party to crash?

[@Venture2Roam]

Saturday night at 8pm in Gen Pop camping. I'll send coords out via IG as soon as I know the spot.

[@marcusmassey231]

Thinking about driving out from Idaho Falls. Maybe i will see you there.

[@Venture2Roam]

I'll be there Sat and Sun! Hope to see you.

[@fscottgray9784]

I was planning on going this year and swinging through Steens mountain on the way but things have come up so my trip will be after the show. I was talking to Stokes VOltaic about getting a booth there but I think they were to late. They are looking for influencers to send their products to for evaluation. You might want to contact them for some stuff to evaluate. I have their stuff and it seems to be great quality.

[@Venture2Roam]

The booths are really expensive at Expo, and the spots go really fast. Looking forward to seeing everyone this year!

[@StlrNtn95]

Looks like Merch! 👌

[@Venture2Roam]

I'm testing out a few new designs :)

[@StlrNtn95]

@@Venture2Roam In my ignorant opinion, simple is best. Probably because Im getting old! 🤣

[@DfaultUserName]

I’ve been to quite a few different Expos/Shows throughout the year. Personally I’m not concerned with meeting KZbinrs, I’d rather walk through the general camping areas. I’ve stopped going to Overland Expo’s honestly, not worth the cost anymore. The smaller shows like in the Ozarks and SAVE in Florida are far more fun and valuable in my opinion.

[@Venture2Roam]

Ya those KZbinrs are so lame 😂.

[@clifford_overland]

Be careful in the camping area, sometimes you camp right next to a guy named Will 🤣

[@Venture2Roam]

hahaha. I apologize for any snoring you may have heard!

[@Ferdinand-yx5wh]

Is there any way to contact you directly

[@Venture2Roam]

DM me on IG

[@jhayt4r]

Its in Redmond.. not Bend 😅

[@nugant6969]

Ummmmm it's redmond not bend love tge content

[@Venture2Roam]

😂😂😂 Redmond it is! Sorry!

[@TimTheTowman]

REDMOND.. Not Bend!!!.. Bend is 16 miles south of the Deschutes County Expo center... There is NO expo center in Bend..

[@Venture2Roam]

Fair enough. But everyone I know talks about going to Bend, not Redmond.

[@TimTheTowman]

@@Venture2Roam Ur Killin me Smalls! 🤣😂🤣

[@Venture2Roam]

@@TimTheTowman 🤣. Redmond is great. The expo is 100% in Redmond!

[@nugant6969]

Venture to Rome your insulting redmond people calling it bend heads up they don't like bend people

[@Venture2Roam]

Oh no! Central Oregon geopolitics!!! It’s 100% in Redmond…not Bend…Bend is just what we outsiders use to describe the whole area.

[@Captndarty]

Hate how the foundation to its bare minimum of all expos is driven about money. The byproduct of all that might be bringing people together and happiness, but it’s 100% money and greed. I would much prefer an expo or world where the primary factor is bringing people together and hey, I guess while we’re here I can show you this product. Unfortunately niche market products aren’t easy to go touch and explore which they know and that’s why you have to go to these expos. 100% self-serving👎🏻

[@Captndarty]

@Westcoastrocksduh I never said anything should be given away compadre. The whole point of Overlanding is to get away from society, people and daily pressures and to enjoy the serenity either alone or in a small group. Over landing expos couldn’t be more polar opposite. The fact that I have to pay money for a ticket to get into a place to have the right to pay more money and buy something is asinine Let’s face it. Overlanding is all about showing off and collecting farkles. Nothing more nothing less. Oh and sometimes people drive somewhere….

[@Venture2Roam]

You make an excellent point. I still think there is value in seeing thing you couldn’t otherwise see or learn..and while I’m not a massive fan of how Overland Expo is administered, the byproduct is still good. But I do agree with your sentiment about the mechanics behind how these events happen. I wish it were more about community and learning first…but overall I don’t think these events are bad or doing harm to the community.

[@Captndarty]

@Westcoastrocksduh not your comrade. Some people are insecure bandwagon puppets that’s why they attend. Besides the vendors should be paying 100% for this to get the people to come in and buy their products. It should cost you nothing other than utility cost and obviously food and drinks. You don’t pay to go to the mall do you? And unfortunately, to your ideals over landing has a socially defined idea behind it. It’s been that way for 80 years.