TO THE SUNSHINE STATE & BACK
TO THE SUNSHINE STATE & BACK
Our thoughts on the 2026 S.A.V.E Expo in Starke, FL 2026 Dates: Feb 27th - March 1st
This year, we kicked off our show season with an exciting 1,200-mile adventure down to Starke, FL, for the highly anticipated 6th annual S.A.V.E Expo, hosted by the amazing Alissa and her dedicated team. This marks our third time at this fantastic event, and I was thrilled to introduce Rory to the experience for the very first time. As we prepared for the adventure ahead, I reminded him to brace for the elements—rain and wind were on the horizon, just as they had been during our previous visits.
True to the forecasts from the past two years we attended, the Sunshine State didn’t disappoint when it came to weather surprises!
A LITTLE ABOUT S.A.V.E
The S.A.V.E Expo is recognized as the largest overlanding event in the southeastern United States, providing a unique platform for overlanding enthusiasts to gather and celebrate outdoor adventure and exploration. This annual event takes place at the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park (F.I.R.M) located in Starke, Florida, a vast 430-acre motorsport facility ideal for such gatherings. This year, the expo hosted 113 vendors across the 1.6- mile road course, while the remaining grounds accommodated seminars, over 800 campers, and 10 diverse food vendors. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to participate in daily trail rides, allowing for off-road excursions through Florida's varied terrain. The S.A.V.E Expo has established itself as a key event for those passionate about adventure, providing inspiration from a grassroots-style overlanding experience.
Alissa and her team are committed to nurturing the event's friendly atmosphere, fostering genuine connections between vendors and attendees even as the event continues to grow.
Transitioning to Our Show Season
For this year’s expo, we embraced a new role as the Official Truck Camper Sponsor. To enhance our presence, we acquired a transport flatbed trailer, which allowed us to showcase an additional truck camper alongside our usual gear. Our display this year highlighted several models, including the BunduTop King and the BundutecUSA Free Camper, as well as Rory's personal camper, The Go-Away, mounted on his 3/4-ton Dodge Short Bed, and the new RipTide model displayed on my 5-foot box Tacoma. We were delighted to have a local BundutecUSA Advocate join us with his Jeep Wrangler, featuring a standard BunduTop, an original BunduAwn, and a BunduTrail—a product he chose for its innovative design and commitment to the BunduBrand.
As the Official Truck Camper Sponsor for this year’s 2026 event, we secured a prime 30 ft x 60 ft booth space, strategically located just inside the daily entrance gate. This significant area allowed us to effectively showcase the various BunduAwn configurations and our offerings.
To ensure a smooth setup, I always create a layout plan in advance, but the actual setup process often feels more challenging than it appeared on paper. Nevertheless, we successfully utilized the S.A.V.E Expo to prepare for our future shows, with the display trailer functioning as intended to highlight the additional truck camper and the BunduTop. We plan to replicate this setup for the Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, scheduled for May.
The S.A.V.E Expo is different from our other events, where we are allowed to move in and start set-up 1- 2 days before the event. While check-in usually starts at 9, this time around, we faced a bit of a challenge: we weren’t allowed to roll in until 11, thanks to the F.I.R.M. Venue’s hectic schedule, which included hosting a road-course race that day. While it didn't affect our setup time much, it wreaked havoc on campers attending the event, as they couldn't start checking in until 4 pm. Undeterred, we embraced the change and made our way to the venue that Thursday. The thrill of the race just beyond the cement barricade added an exhilarating backdrop to our setup. It was a little nerve-racking to hear the cars zooming around the turns, but it only fueled our excitement! Despite the delay in our arrival, our team operated like a well-oiled machine. With efficiency and teamwork, our booth staff set everything up smoothly and did so well in advance of the event kick-off at noon on Friday. Who knew a little unexpected twist could make the experience even more memorable?
BEFORE THE SHOW
As we gear up for events, there are always a few last-minute details to handle. This time, we decided to skip setting up the awnings. They’re super easy to put up, but with the wind forecast overnight, we figured it was a perfect day to just soak in the sunshine instead!
To make the most of the evening, we whipped up a delicious dinner and enjoyed some quality time together, which is way nicer than rushing through transit. When we're camping for fun or shows, there are a couple of must-have items we always bring along:
The Tembo Tusk
On our first night, we cooked dinner on the Tembo Tusk, and it was fantastic!
Tom, our talented night owl and early bird, always captures such amazing photos of the display during those magical golden hours. He happily shares them with me, and I really appreciate it! This time around, I felt a bit rusty in my show duties and didn’t snap as many photos as I usually do, so I'm especially grateful for his contributions!
A Memorable Weekend
This year’s 2-1/2-day show was a whirlwind of excitement, running its familiar hours: Friday from noon to 5 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm, and wrapping up Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm. Each day had its own flair, closing with a thrilling daily raffle and evening events that vendors and campers eagerly anticipated. We love to give back to the show, and this time we dazzled attendees with an amazing Omnia Oven package, complete with an oven, a silicone muffin ring, and a baking rack. Having the raffle items on display certainly drew people to our booth— whether they were seasoned Omnia owners in search of accessories or newcomers eager to learn and potentially make a purchase before or after the raffle.
The buzz around the Omnia Oven was electric, and by the end of the weekend, I had sold out of most items and taken a slew of drop-shipping orders back home. The first day kicked off with fantastic energy, but as is typical for Florida, the weather took a dramatic turn. Strong winds and looming rain threatened our vibes. Lessons from prior shows came rushing back to me: Whenever we set up the BunduAwn, I must secure it in at least two places to withstand the wind and prevent mishaps.
You might recall my unfortunate incident at the S.A.V.E Expo in 2023, when an unsecured awning led to a snapped bar! With the awning firmly staked down this time, we braced for the rain, which hit around 3 pm and slowed down traffic considerably for the last couple of hours. My dog, always ready for an adventure, quickly decided he’d had enough of the drizzle and sought refuge in Rory’s cozy camper.
Day 2 brought a refreshing change! The weather, while cooler than usual, was beautiful, leading to a bustling show day. I had the pleasure of chatting with Cory Web from Cory Web Travels, an influencer for Inca4x4. He was impressed by our products, and I was thrilled to give him a quick tour for their YouTube channel, featuring our exciting new release, the RipTide— a fully customizable shell model set to make waves in the 2026 show season! With a break from the rain, we took advantage of the improved conditions and cooked outdoors, making a delightful dinner in the Omnia Oven. As we savored our meal, we shared stories and laughter, capping off the day before gearing up for the show's grand finale. Sunday's late start was a welcome treat, particularly after Saturday night’s revelry, which tends to keep folks out late and a bit sluggish the following morning. True to form, this show was no exception; with a fantastic night ride followed by an awesome live band, Smokestack, sponsored by Super Overland Outfitters, Saturday night was full of fun. Though we didn’t join the night ride—our rigs comfortably sprawled out in our display—we thoroughly enjoyed listening to the live music wafting over to our booth. Sunday unfolded pleasantly as well, with normal traffic for a closing day. The S.A.V.E Expo stands out uniquely among events, ending with an official closure that involves everyone joyfully honking their horns—a truly memorable touch! All in all, it was a great weekend filled with engaging connections and memorable experiences, and I can't wait for the next show!
FINAL THOUGHTS
While preparing my recap of this year's event, I spoke with Alissa from S.A.V.E., who provided some interesting updates. In 2026, there was a notable increase in weekend camping passes, with approximately 875 rigs participating—nearly 100 more than the previous year. This represented a 53% increase in new camping rigs, alongside a 47% return rate for previous attendees. Additionally, daily ticket sales also experienced a significant boost, with a 73% increase in new attendees. As is typical, Saturday was the busiest day of the event; however, the turnout was so high that most of the invited food trucks sold out by 4 PM.
Overall, the S.A.V.E Expo was a great success! We loved how the transport trailer showed both an additional truck camper and the BunduTop. We’re feeling optimistic about replicating this for the Overland Expo event in May.
While attendance wasn't quite what we've seen in the past, we’re not sure if that was due to the weather or just changing trends. As the Official Truck Camper Sponsor, we had hoped for a bit more enthusiasm, but we’re always eager to connect with other vendors about the events they attend. Rory and I are already looking ahead at the 2027 show season and where we will be displaying.
The promoters and fellow vendors are doing an amazing job of fostering the Overlanding community and inspiring more people to venture out of the urban jungle and experience the beauty of nature— creating memories that will last a lifetime!
