Overland Expo East 2022 "You know what we need to do next year is...."

[Viking1204]

Well said @Wellspring! It would be kind of cool if those of us that got to meet each other could plan a get together central to our locations in the Spring. Looking at Google Earth, Mount Cheaha in NE Alabama would be a pretty central place or even Cloudland Canyon in NW Georgia. I looked and it would be similar drive for you, @Ohio Valley Overland and me.

 

[Ohio Valley Overland]

Well said @Wellspring! It would be kind of cool if those of us that got to meet each other could plan a get together central to our locations in the Spring. Looking at Google Earth, Mount Cheaha in NE Alabama would be a pretty central place or even Cloudland Canyon in NW Georgia. I looked and it would be similar drive for you, @Ohio Valley Overland and me.

I’m down for sure!…I’ve been wanting to get to the Southeast for a while now…I’ve been thinking about the Georgia Traverse for a bit…

 

[NJCoastal]

While we can be upset over the fact that nobody from OB leadership was there, we must not overlook, but realize that specific topic blogs, and websites that promote input from outside from the general public that are interested in a myriad pf activities are also commercial ventures for those that start, and oversee them. We, the contributors and readers of such blogsites are the "product" that sell and make the money for the sites. We contribute our thoughts topical posts, and keep the website alive in our resultant comments, and topical interest headers for those that run the sites. I am not making excuses for why we didn't meet and see the "powers that be" there, but for whatever their reasons, they missed an opporuntiy to further their interests, and goals.

Aside from that, I must say that the few folks I met while attending shared many laughs, conversation, food, drink, and good times at Overland Expo East (at least for me), and made for the entire experience of joining this site worth it. "Management" not being there was slightly disappointing, but the few Overland Bound folks I met and hung out with the entire 4 days are I.M.H.O., friends for life, ones that share the mutual enjoyment in the outdoors and traveling as we all do in our style.

That is, and was the important take away for me in attending, and I hope that we can get more of us together next year if we can get our act together beforehand, to make it happen.

Just my 2 cents....

Cheers.

Your “2 cents” is priceless!

 

[Wellspring]

Your “2 cents” is priceless!

Thank you.

 

[Auspri.6]

This was my first year at Overland Expo East. I was able to make it over the weekend with my brother. I feel like I missed out on some things. I only really got a chance to look at the vendor stands and road test the broncos and utvs. Did they have anything else? I would like to find a group of people to meet up with next time. I follow a local group in Dayton but no one acted like they knew about this event. Trying to ease my way into some trails with my 4runner and not destroy it due to it being my daily driver.

 

[Wellspring]

This was my first year at Overland Expo East. I was able to make it over the weekend with my brother. I feel like I missed out on some things. I only really got a chance to look at the vendor stands and road test the broncos and utvs. Did they have anything else? I would like to find a group of people to meet up with next time. I follow a local group in Dayton but no one acted like they knew about this event. Trying to ease my way into some trails with my 4runner and not destroy it due to it being my daily driver.

The classes and lectures they have at the Expos are great. I am sure you can find a topic, or two, or three while attending that would be of interest. The driving course is also fun to do with your vehicle. For me, there were so many things of interest that I couldn't do or attend due my already
signed up activities I had pre-planned/signed up for, that's why I look forward to next year to attend. Besides, "Happy Hour' is also a blast meeting new people and getting to know them and their stories. When we get near to the sign up for Overland Expo East for 2022, keep an eye on this site, and you will catch the posts about the show, and how many of us are starting to plan the who, what and wheres of getting together for an Overland Bound group before we enter the grounds so that we can camp in the same area on the Expo campground.

Cheers!

 

[Viking1204]

Pretty much the same dates as this year for next year and the same location!

About EAST — Overland Expo®

 

[Wellspring]

Pretty much the same dates as this year for next year and the same location!

About EAST — Overland Expo®

I'm there as long as I'm healthy, and the creeks don't rise (as they say in these parts of NC).

 

[Viking1204]

Well now there's 3 Expos West of the Mississippi and still just one in the East and none in the Midwest.

Why the Pacific Northwest Is the Perfect Place for Overland Expo’s Newest Show - Overland Expo®

 

[Wellspring]

Well now theirs 3 Expos West of the Mississippi and still just one in the East and none in the Midwest.

Why the Pacific Northwest Is the Perfect Place for Overland Expo’s Newest Show - Overland Expo®

It appears that the greater perceived interest, and even the ability to overland is greater west of the Mississippi due to the vast expanse of lands and places to go that are currently popular (which is baloney, I.M.H.O.). East of the Mississippi has as many interesting places to travel to, and explore, it's just that nobody really covers the topics of places to travel to in the eastern part of the US as much as the publicity and number of published stories and You Tube exposure of the places to go to and visit west of the Mississippi West. I guess people also like to go off road overland and rock crawl on trails far more than travel US state and Federal Forrest Service roads for their "adventure fix".

Another thing, look at the retail market of products that are out there to customize your particular vehicle of choice, and you will see that they are more for hard and difficult terrain rough travel than for anything else: Likewise the videos one watches on You Tube, as well. Grant you, the National Parks system out west is far more vast, and offers more "overland travel off the beaten path" travel than what is available in the East, but still..... Tell me that Dan Grec of the popular series in both You tube, print, and other media "The Road Chose Me" fame is a hard core rock crawler: No, he isn't if you know who he is, what he has accomplished and his philosophy of just that is "overland travel, then he alone pokes holes in the entire definition of just what "Overland Travel" is.

Here's a great You Tube video by Dean Shirley (a very knowledgeable man in the field in his own right) of "Blue Ridge Overland Gear" whom I worked with at the Overland Expo in Asheville in the past, and even took a few of his courses this last Overland Expo East regarding just what is overland travel by some of the many popular people in the field:


Want to learn more, then look up "7P" and Graham Jackson (another great fellow, and experienced) and company.

Finally, "Overland Travel" means many things to many people, and to pigeon hole into one of a few categories of just what it is, how, and where to expedience it doesn't allow for and give the the entire concept, and style of travel any credit for diversity and interest(s).

If the industry cares to blow off the East Coast crowd, then so be it: Their loss.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[NJCoastal]

You're absolutely on target @Wellspring. The following is an example (dirt/rock time can be found within the national and state forests adjacent to the Appalachian Trail along the way):

Road Trip USA Appalachian Trail (link: Road Trip USA Appalachian Trail)

"This driving route parallels the hiking trail, from the top of New England to the heart of the South, taking you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.

The best-known hiking trail in the country, the Appalachian Trail, winds from the North Woods of Maine all the way south to Georgia. While you won’t earn the same kudos driving as you would by walking, the following scenic roads come close to paralleling the pedestrian route, taking you through the almost continuous natural beauty without the sweat and blisters. Best of all, this driving route follows magnificently scenic two-lane roads all the way from the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, running past a wealth of fascinating towns and historic sites.

The Appalachian landscape holds some of the wealthiest—and some of the neediest—areas in the entire country. These contrasting worlds often sit within a few miles of one another: Every resort and retirement community seems to have its alter ego as a former mill town, now as dependent on tourism as they once were upon the land and its resources.

After an extended sojourn through the rugged and buggy wilds of northern Maine, where the hikers’ route winds to the top of Mt. Katahdin, our Appalachian Trail driving tour reaches an early high point atop windswept Mt. Washington in the heart of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range. From these 6,000-ft (1,800-m) peaks, the tallest mountains in New England and some of the hardest and most durable rocks on earth, the route winds through Vermont’s Green Mountains, taking in the idyllic charms of rural New England, with its summer homes and liberal-arts college communities. Beyond the Berkshires, the summer destination of the Boston and New York culture vultures and intelligentsia for most of two centuries, towns become even more prissy and pretty as we approach within commuting distance of New York City.

Skirting the Big Apple, our route ducks down through the Delaware Water Gap to enter the suddenly industrial Lehigh Valley, former land of coal and steel that’s now struggling to find an economic replacement. South of here, we pass through the heart of the world-famous Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where the simple life is under the onslaught of package tourism.

South from Pennsylvania, nearly to the end of the route in Georgia, the Appalachian Trail runs through continuous nature, with barely a city to be seen. Starting with Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, then following the Blue Ridge Parkway across the breathtaking mountains of western North Carolina, it’s all-American scenic highway all the way, with recommended detours east and west to visit such fascinating historic sights as Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, outside Charlottesville, Virginia; the most opulent mansion in America, Asheville’s Biltmore; the real-life town that inspired TV’s Mayberry RFD—Mount Airy, North Carolina; or the white water featured in the film Deliverance, north Georgia’s Chattooga River.

All in all, the Appalachian Trail is an amazing drive, whether or not you come for fall color."

 

[Old Tanker]

It appears that the greater perceived interest, and even the ability to overland is greater west of the Mississippi due to the vast expanse of lands and places to go that are currently popular (which is baloney, I.M.H.O.)....If the industry cares to blow off the East Coast crowd, then so be it: Their loss...

The west has their drone videos and sweeping music laid on top of epic shots of alpine passes and desert canyons, but the East has a great deal if you look for it. Outfitters like Mill Creek Overland, Apex Overland and Asheville Vehicle Outfitters. Organized trail rides by Asheville Vehicle Outfitters, Mountain State Overland, Blue Ridge Overland Gear, and Northeast Adventure Company. An increasing number of quality videos by Coddiwomple Overland and others. Events like the Smoky Mountain Overland Rally, Appalachian Toyota Roundup, Adventure X Fest. Challenging competitions like the Red Clay Rally. Windrock and Uwharrie. You just need to look around a bit more.

 

[Wellspring]

The west has their drone videos and sweeping music laid on top of epic shots of alpine passes and desert canyons, but the East has a great deal if you look for it. Outfitters like Mill Creek Overland, Apex Overland and Asheville Vehicle Outfitters. Organized trail rides by Asheville Vehicle Outfitters, Mountain State Overland, Blue Ridge Overland Gear, and Northeast Adventure Company. An increasing number of quality videos by Coddiwomple Overland and others. Events like the Smoky Mountain Overland Rally, Appalachian Toyota Roundup, Adventure X Fest. Challenging competitions like the Red Clay Rally. Windrock and Uwharrie. You just need to look around a bit more.

I personally know Eric and the guys at Asheville Vehicle Outfitters: They have done some work on my Tacoma, and I have purchased many items from them (from tires, to recovery gear).

 

[Viking1204]

I really hope we can meet up before hand and drive in and camp together unless the Overland Bound powers at be can get us our own designated area to camp in. My main goal to going to the Expo last year was to meet a lot of Overland Bound members but that never happened. I did enjoying hanging out with the few I did meet!

 

[Viking1204]

Hey, send an email to: info@overlandexpo.com if you'd like to see an Overland Expo in the SouthEast. I replied to their email about another Expo in the West and below is there response. Maybe if enough of us email them they'll consider it. Somewhere North of Atlanta in North Georgia or Soutern TN or Western NC would be great making it a lot easier for a lot of us in the SE to attend.

Overland Expo response:

Thank you for sharing your interest for more of our events in the East. We will keep the Southeast region in mind for our future events.


BEST!

Expo Team | Customer Service | Office: +1-317-207-0557 (MST)



Overland Expo Pacific North West // July 8-10, 2022 // Bend, OR - Recap

Overland Expo West // May 20-22, 2022 // Flagstaff, AZ - Recap

Overland Expo Mtn West // Aug 26-28, 2022 // Loveland, CO - Recap

Overland Expo East // Oct 7-9, 2022 // Arrington, VA - Recap

 

[Agards1011]

Hey, send an email to: info@overlandexpo.com if you'd like to see an Overland Expo in the SouthEast. I replied to their email about another Expo in the West and below is there response. Maybe if enough of us email them they'll consider it. Somewhere North of Atlanta in North Georgia or Soutern TN or Western NC would be great making it a lot easier for a lot of us in the SE to attend.

Overland Expo response:

Thank you for sharing your interest for more of our events in the East. We will keep the Southeast region in mind for our future events.


BEST!

Expo Team | Customer Service | Office: +1-317-207-0557 (MST)



Overland Expo Pacific North West // July 8-10, 2022 // Bend, OR - Recap

Overland Expo West // May 20-22, 2022 // Flagstaff, AZ - Recap

Overland Expo Mtn West // Aug 26-28, 2022 // Loveland, CO - Recap

Overland Expo East // Oct 7-9, 2022 // Arrington, VA - Recap

Just did the same. A buddy and I went to East this year and did the forest camping and had a great time. Would love to see one a little bit closer....

 

[Agards1011]

Just did the same. A buddy and I went to East this year and did the forest camping and had a great time. Would love to see one a little bit closer....

and here was the reply....

Thank you for reaching out! So glad that you enjoyed your experience! It was such a good turn out in VA! We have had a lot of interest for South East area and is definitely something we will be looking into! Hopefully we will see you again this year in VA!

BEST!

 

[NJCoastal]

and here was the reply....

Thank you for reaching out! So glad that you enjoyed your experience! It was such a good turn out in VA! We have had a lot of interest for South East area and is definitely something we will be looking into! Hopefully we will see you again this year in VA!

BEST!

Appears to be scheduled for every other month, except for PNW and MW. Which month would be ideal for the South East?

 

[Kent R]

Hey, send an email to: info@overlandexpo.com if you'd like to see an Overland Expo in the SouthEast. I replied to their email about another Expo in the West and below is there response. Maybe if enough of us email them they'll consider it. Somewhere North of Atlanta in North Georgia or Soutern TN or Western NC would be great making it a lot easier for a lot of us in the SE to attend.

Overland Expo response:

Thank you for sharing your interest for more of our events in the East. We will keep the Southeast region in mind for our future events.


BEST!

Expo Team | Customer Service | Office: +1-317-207-0557 (MST)



Overland Expo Pacific North West // July 8-10, 2022 // Bend, OR - Recap

Overland Expo West // May 20-22, 2022 // Flagstaff, AZ - Recap

Overland Expo Mtn West // Aug 26-28, 2022 // Loveland, CO - Recap

Overland Expo East // Oct 7-9, 2022 // Arrington, VA - Recap

This is really good, the Southeast needs to be heard from.
Expo wants to hear from anyone with an idea for a large venue.

 

[Agards1011]

and here was the reply....

Thank you for reaching out! So glad that you enjoyed your experience! It was such a good turn out in VA! We have had a lot of interest for South East area and is definitely something we will be looking into! Hopefully we will see you again this year in VA!

BEST!

Appears to be scheduled for every other month, except for PNW and MW. Which month would be ideal for the South East?

Depending on location maybe November for north GA or Nov/Dec for FL area. Other thoughts?