Overland Expo East 2016 Photos
- Thread starter Grumps
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Gallowbraid
Adventurist
Looks like a good time. Any word on the venue for next year?
jscusmcvet
Adventurist
I will post some pics as we get settled in. We left a little earlier than expected today due to the impact of Hurricane @BushHead on our home area of Moore County, NC. Lots of people without power, flooding, trees down, etc... Since our home is away from everyone else, we needed to go check it out. Thankfully, only one tree down, all livestock fat and happy, power on, etc... and the pond is finally full 
With that said, this was my first expo. I have been to 3 AAV events and to the Mid Atlantic Overland Festival and several Jeep jamborees and U4WDA events. Although Ann got to teach some classes for Expo and really enjoyed that, and I had a great time with my Anvil buds, I doubt I will be going back to Expo. I prefer the events that we have at ARV and those of other off road events, that are about doing, far more than the "Overland Shopping Mall" experience of Expo. Maybe I missed something.
Rant off.
With that said, this was my first expo. I have been to 3 AAV events and to the Mid Atlantic Overland Festival and several Jeep jamborees and U4WDA events. Although Ann got to teach some classes for Expo and really enjoyed that, and I had a great time with my Anvil buds, I doubt I will be going back to Expo. I prefer the events that we have at ARV and those of other off road events, that are about doing, far more than the "Overland Shopping Mall" experience of Expo. Maybe I missed something.
Rant off.
Expect a new location closer to Flagstaff, AZ for Expo West, but with the same sense of remoteness in May 2017.
Depending on the final reports, you can expect another Expo in Asheville, NC at the Biltmore. Although guests and vendors are still dwarfed by the West Coast event, this year's attendance was better than the first and second year.
True that this is more focused on training and the mercantile aspect of Overlanding, but it always has been. But if you are comparison shopping for a specific item, this is the place to do it, and to talk to people who actually may be using the product. That piece of mind and the potential to receive impressive discounts may be worth it to some.
But the real reason I go is for the people... our family. Guys like John and the Anvil crew make it worthwhile, while new folks who approach us (the AAV booth watch), who have been following the forum for a bit are now energized to join after talking to one of our representatives.
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jscusmcvet
Adventurist
Aptly described. I did get the ability to put hands on equipment and it did help me and Ann winnow down some of our future purchases.
Gallowbraid
Adventurist
Wanted to run up for the day on Friday but the almost $200 I'd have had to throw down to get my family on the Biltmore property before paying the expo entrance fees kept me away.
Cboyd
Adventurist
I suspect this will be a theme that they get feedback on. I heard many talking about the biltmore fees, and even some vendors wondering if the attendance could have been higher without them being so high. I think a tiered ticket that doesn't include the house tour would be good.
I agree, it's about family, real and forum. Got to see my bro and his kids and "overlanding friends" from all about!
jscusmcvet
Adventurist
OK... I am going to revise my previous comments. After reviewing our experience, and then also reading of others experience - I think I need to give Expo one more shot. I did not carry out my end of the deal, so to speak. I should have made more effort to get to classes and workshops. My bad. I can make some excuses as to why I did not but no matter, can't go backward. As this topic and event come up in discussion next year, help me remember.
I might be biased since I'm an instructor, but I firmly believe the best thing about Expo are the classes.
One of the reasons why American Adventurist and Overland Expo events are "back to back."
We could compete against or join forces with Overland Expo... when discussing strategies with Roseann and Jonathon, she observed that Expo is where "you learn to do one," and that a Rendezvous is "where you do it." Hence we came into agreement and packaged the 2 events on weekends bordering each other so folks could actually do some of the things they enjoy, stay for free at UORTC and further explore NC, then finish with Overland Expo.
We realize not everyone can take both weekends off but many can program a weeks vacation time in their limited schedule; conversely, we realize not everyone can make both events either... so it goes.
woodienut
Adventurist
Hell I didn't know you had something to do with it!
Oh well it works anyway. See what you can do about the weather.
Seriously, kidding aside, it does work.
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The Guvnor
Adventurist
Ran across forum members at the Expo and am hopping in for the first time! It was a great event in my opinion...they said they had more attendees that at ExpoWest so the extra fees were obviously not hindering too many people. The classes were generally good to excellent with a few duds...trucks were great and the company even better!
Expo West is still by far the larger event, and will probably remain so, which is fine—we don't mind having a different feel for each. We knew the Biltmore fees would impact attendance, mostly those who only can make it for one day, and we'll be discussing this with the Biltmore management. On the other hand, they were superbly responsive to all our other requirements, and I had many people admit how much they enjoyed touring the house. It's worth it for the craftsmanship alone, not to mention that library and gun room . . .
Roseann and I feel the overlanding community is much better served by cooperation than competition, which is why we do our best to siamese with events such as AAV. It improves the experience for everyone.
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jscusmcvet
Adventurist
For those of you who were at the Anvil Adventures raffle (!) here is a picture from last night. I got home from work to see the Joe with a new fire ring built by the front porch, a nice tinder ball and kindling pile all ready to go... and the Joe sparking away with his raffle prize, a "custom asian survival knife and ferro rod" Took a little help from me to get it going, but he did most of it, using only what he had on hand.