Overland Expo, the consumer event and festival for do-it-yourself adventure travelers, is expanding in March to Southern California, its fifth regional location around the country.
The Southern California expo runs from March 15 to 16 at the OC Fair & Event Center. It includes inspirational programming, loads of education, product and culinary demonstrations, happy hours, a DIY overland vehicle area, and several hundred brands showcasing gear for overlanding and camping.
An education session at Overland Expo PNW. Photo courtesy of Overland Expo.
The event appears to be a hot ticket: exhibitor spaces and a limited number of camping spots sold out in early January. In all, 300 exhibitors and 17,000 to 20,000 attendees are expected over the weekend.
Expanding Overland Expo to such a dense, outdoor-friendly market made sense, said Jessica Kirchner, VP consumer events and show director Overland Expo and Glamping Show Americas.
“Our research shows that Southern California is a region rich with overlanders, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventure seekers,” she said. “Plus our clients (exhibitors) have been requesting SoCal syndication for years as a way to help them reach more customers in the region.”
Photo courtesy of Overland Expo.
Exhibitors at the upcoming event include a range of camping, vehicle, gear and equipment, outdoor, bike, and food companies.
“Overlanders are more than just vehicle-based adventurers, they are campers at heart and typically also enjoy active outdoor activities,” Kirchner said. “We’ve seen a rise in outdoor brands, van manufacturers, and companies catering to the more casual camping audience exhibiting at the event.”
Food and tips for cooking on the road are a part of Overland Expo. Photo courtesy of Overland Expo.
The brands that are intentional about providing experiences and teaching moments are typically the most successful at Overland.
“Overlanders are hungry for learning and knowledge,” Kirchner said. “They research products in depth and enjoy hands-on experiences. In-booth product demonstrations are very popular and brands that make attendees feel they’re part of the community have seen tremendous success at our shows.”
If Overland Expo SoCal goes as well as expected, it will likely expand at the same venue in the future.
“A successful launch will likely fuel an expansion into more areas of the OC Fair & Event Center for future events, making room for more exhibitors and attendees in 2026 and beyond,” Kirchner said.
Visit the Overland Expo website to find out more, including how to buy tickets.
Meeting fellow overlanders and building community are a key feature of the event. Photo courtesy of Overland Expo.
Editor’s note: Overland Expo and Shop Eat Surf Outdoor are both owned by Emerald.
