Overland Expo said its first Southern California event featured 303 exhibitors and over 19,000 attendees.
The expo was held March 15-16 at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California.
The event featured 96 hours of programming, including 84 hands-on classes. Among the event’s highlights were Subaru’s puppy adoption, Toyo Tires’ happy hour and raffle and the Women’s Who Wander networking event. Overland Expo partnered with Emerald, a live events and online communications company, to host Overland Expo SoCal.
Jessica Kirchner, Emerald vice president of consumer events, said, “With 70% of attendees reporting SoCal as their first Overland Expo, exhibitors were particularly excited about the opportunity to connect with a new overlanding audience, eager to learn and begin building out their vehicles for adventure.”
Attendees traveled from across the country, with strong representation from the West and Southwest. The show floor featured exhibitors, hands-on education and immersive experiences.
SoCal exhibitors said they noticed a different demographic compared with other Overland Expos, with more families, beginners and new consumers in attendance.
Beyond the exhibitor booths, attendees had access to various activities and educational sessions. Overland Expo speaker Chris Bradley shared insider tips on “How to Get the Most Out of Overland Expo.”
Overland Expo SoCal will return March 14-15, 2026. The 2026 floorplan will include new indoor pavilions showcasing product categories such as surf, paddle, hike/run, climb, bike, photography and videography.
Overland Expo’s next event, Overland Expo West, is scheduled for May 16-18 in Flagstaff, Arizona.
For more, visit overlandexpo.com.
