Overland Of America 2024 Recap - The Most Unique Overlanding Expo This Year

The journey to Oklahoma for the inaugural Overland of America Expo was... flat. But while the landscape may not have been thrilling, the adventure and experiences certainly made up for it.

The Tern Show Team, including Sales Manager Mike R. and myself, loaded up the camper the day before our departure, sticking to our well-practiced packing routine. After 13 shows this season, we’ve got it down to a science. Using labeled Step 22 cases, everything has its place in the work truck, and with just a quick check of fluids, a refill of water and propane, and stocking the National Luna fridge/freezer with food, we were ready to roll.

On Tuesday morning, before the expo weekend kicked off, we met Janine from AT Overland at the local Maverick for fuel and a final send-off. We embarked on the 1,200-mile journey to Jay, Oklahoma, with about 87% of the drive being on I-40 East. I was curious about where we would stop each night, and I anticipated more urban camping as we moved east, and as anyone familiar with that route knows, it’s a whole lot of flatland with miles and miles of a seemingly endless strip of straight road. To my surprise, we found some delightful camping spots along the way.

The first night, we camped just outside Albuquerque, NM—our last taste of mountains before hitting the expansive flat terrain. The second night, we stopped in Elk City, OK, where we found a peaceful little campground by a lake, thanks to iOverlander. Although it was dark when we arrived, the $15 fee for a quiet night’s rest seemed reasonable—until we were woken by a barking dog chasing off the parking attendant early in the morning.

Once the sun rose, we discovered a 70-pound puppy hanging out at our campsite. After asking around, it became clear that he had no owner. A local regular at the campground called Animal Control, and the pup was sent to the shelter. This concerned us, so Janine, reached out to the shelter only to find it was a 72-hour kill shelter. Without hesitation, she asked them to hold off on putting him down, promising to pick him up on our way back if unclaimed.

With that excitement behind us, we headed to MidAmerica Outdoors in Jay, OK, the venue for the Overland of America Expo. This wasn’t your typical event space. Spanning 1,600 acres, it was packed with entertainment options, from open-air bars to free arcades, racetracks, and trails. The facilities were top-notch, featuring clean showers, a free laundry area, and even a pool complex complete with a lazy river and splash pad.

The Overland of America Team—Robbie, Kris, and Patrick—did an incredible job coordinating and promoting the expo. The effort put into the event was evident, from the signage to the extensive marketing. On the first night, they raffled off over $35,000 in prizes! A variety of food trucks offered delicious options, keeping attendees fueled for all the activities. 

Attendees had their pick of activities—Barbie Jeep racing, trail rides, classes, swimming, belly flop competitions, and more. The atmosphere was lively, with people coming from all over to participate.

The expo showcased many familiar brands and first-time exhibitors, each contributing to the vibrant atmosphere. A few notable brands included AEV, AT Overland, 4x4 Colorado, ICECO, Lady Overlander Podcast, Expedition Trailers, Taruca, and Intrepid Camp Gear, among others.

Despite the hot weather in the mid-80s to low 90s, the breezy conditions made for comfortable days—especially in the shade!

Attendees came from all over, most notably Texas. Many people shared that they had never been to an Overland show, but they have been interested for years & finally were able to attend one closer to home. These newer shows popping up all over the country seem to provide an opportunity for more people to be involved in the industry than every before. Each person expressed gratitude for an event like this & were looing forward to the years to come. 

By Sunday afternoon, we packed up and started the journey home. Janine kept her promise and picked up the puppy from the shelter, and we continued our caravan towards a lakeside camp. After stops for fuel and food, we made our way from Oklahoma to Albuquerque, NM, and then to Flagstaff, AZ, where we spent the night overlooking Sedona before making the final stretch home.

All in all, the Overland of America Expo was a success. We reached a new audience, connected with quality vendors, and experienced a venue unlike any other. I’m excited to see how this event grows, with its potential for expanding in such a vast and activity-filled space. The combination of the impressive venue and the caliber of vendors truly stood out, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings.