Like the proverbial swallows to Capistrano, overlanders will be returning to Flagstaff, Arizona, for the 2023 edition of Overland Expo West, May 19-21. Ticket prices range from $490 for the full, weekend-long Overland Experience pass to just $20 for a one-day pass on Sunday.
Held again at the sprawling Fort Tuthill County Park, you can expect the usual mix of skills classes, film events, product demonstrations, and general overland camaraderie. As in years past, the organizers predict record attendance both for participants and vendors (West is the largest of the four Overland Expos), so whether you bring your rig and camp over for the whole weekend or just pop in for a day, you’re bound to find something to grab your interest.
Overland Expo has established itself as an important stop on the calendar for the off-road, automotive, and outdoor recreation industries as well. Earlier this year, Emerald Expositions, producers of the huge Outdoor Retailer trade show, as well as Outdoor Adventure X, acquired Lodestone Events, Overland Expo’s promoters. Growth in the overland segment shows no signs of slowing, with over 80,000 people and 1,300 exhibitors attending the four Overland Expos last year.
West can feel a little overwhelming at times, especially for new attendees; but if you haven’t traveled to an Expo before, I highly encourage you to do so. Even though it’s come a long way from the very first events that drew just a few dozen people, education is still at the core of Expo’s mission. From advanced off-road moto skills training to route planning to camp cooking, it is an unparalleled opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced adventurers out there. The community aspect is fantastic as well—I’ve made many fast friends in overlanding at Overland Expo over the last decade or so, and I’m looking forward to seeing many of them again in a couple of weeks.
Speaking of making friends, be sure to stop by the Overland Journal and Expedition Portal booth in the vendor area and say hello. We usually find a spot near the big, red 18-wheeler that serves as the Overland Expo merch store. We love hearing from our readers.
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