One Man’s Vision at 70
Building Asia’s Offroad Ecosystem
At 70, most people are content to slow down.
Not Thomas Foo.
He has stood on all seven continents — more than once. He has circled the globe at least five times. He has led or completed 46 major month-long expeditions across continents — and he is still counting.
He has braved the icy silence of Antarctica, trekked through the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru, crossed the windswept wilderness of Patagonia in Argentina and Chile, navigated the rugged deserts of Australia, and returned to South America no fewer than ten times.
He has travelled extensively across Africa, Asia and Europe — his passport reads like an atlas.
Yet for Thomas, the numbers matter less than the mindset — a mindset focused not on what has been achieved, but on what remains to be done.
Turning 70 is not, for him, a time to reflect on mileage clocked — though he casually admits it must run into the millions of kilometres.
So what is it about?
For Thomas, it is about venturing into spaces where others hesitate to go.
Which is why his latest “expedition” does not involve scaling mountains, crossing glaciers or navigating deserts.
It involves building something entirely new.
Asia Offroad 2026: More than an Expo & Convention
Thomas wants to create an ecosystem for the offroad community and industry — a platform to promote, connect and share this burning passion with others.
To do that, he has set out to organise the inaugural Asia Offroad Expo & Convention 2026 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTC KL) from October 23 to 25.
And this is no ordinary expo.
More than 500 booths and exhibitors from approximately 30 countries are expected, spread across five levels of WTC KL, alongside a major vehicle display area at the outdoor parking lot. A 500-delegate industry convention will also be held concurrently.
A total of 96,000 visitors are projected to attend, including:
- 5,000 trade buyers
- 10,000 4x4 clubs and communities
- 10,000 motorcycle enthusiasts
- 10,000 mountain bikers
- 60,000 lifestyle visitors
- 1,000 tourism operators
The expo will feature four shows:
- 4x4 Asia
- Adventure Bikes Asia
- Mountain Bikes Asia
- Outdoor & RV (Recreational Vehicle) Asia
The event is supported by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Transport; Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur; MATRADE; and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
That is a mammoth undertaking for anyone organising such an event for the first time.
For a man known for navigating remote landscapes and rugged terrain, why step into the world of expos and conventions?
He laughs at the irony.
“People who do expeditions don’t organise expos and conventions,” he says during an interview at his Jalan Ampang office on a hot February afternoon just before Chinese New Year.
“People who organise expos and conventions don’t do expeditions.
“And I haven’t found anyone who is really like me. So, I might as well do it — because the offroad and overland community and industry really need one.
“It’s a bit strange that so many people in so many countries enjoy going to offroad and overland adventures but there’s not one platform, expo or event; at least in Asia, that can connect everyone under one roof. Isn’t it time we have one?”
Beyond Three Days: A Year-Round Industry Platform
Thomas explains that the ecosystem he envisions goes beyond a three-day event to be organised by Explorer Outfitter Sdn Bhd .
“In this ecosystem, we intend to promote, network and business-match everyone who takes part — industry leaders, manufacturers, distributors — from the moment they sign up as exhibitors or sponsors. And we will continue to do that until the expo and even after that. That’s the kind of ecosystem I am thinking about.
“We don’t wait until October 23. The moment they join, we list them on our website and begin promoting them.”
That statement reveals something essential about Thomas Foo: he does not wait for someone else to build the road.
In offroad adventures, if there is no road, you forge one.
For decades, he has explored some of the planet’s most unforgiving environments. Now, he believes the offroad and overlanding community in Asia needs to hit a different kind of trail — one that builds structure, connection and long-term growth.
Why an Offroad Ecosystem — And Why Now?
“This will be the first time such a dedicated platform is held here,” Thomas explains.
“The purpose is to build an ecosystem where off-road enthusiasts and adventurers can gather together with the entire supporting industry — vehicle suppliers, modifiers, mechanics, outdoor specialists, camping brands and experts.”
In a digital era dominated by social media groups and online forums, Thomas believes the industry needs more than hashtags and highlight reels.
Offroad needs a physical meeting ground.
A marketplace.
A knowledge-exchange hub.
A rallying point for a growing tribe of explorers who believe the journey matters more than the destination.
The Asia Offroad Expo & Convention 2026 aims to be exactly that.
Uniting the Full Adventure Mobility Value Chain
The Expo is not merely a trade show. Thomas envisions a full-spectrum ecosystem bringing together industry players, 4x4 enthusiasts, expedition leaders, equipment innovators, safety experts and the next generation of overlanders under one roof.
The Expo will cover the entire offroad and adventure mobility value chain:
- 4x4 and expedition vehicles
- Offroad motorcycles and enduro
- Mountain bikes and adventure cycling
- Outdoor, camping and overland equipment
- Recovery systems, suspension and vehicle technology
- Clubs, events and adventure tourism
It aims to be Asia’s first large-scale platform dedicated exclusively to the offroad, overland and adventure mobility ecosystem.
In many ways, this may be his boldest expedition yet.
Building a regional industry platform demands vision, persuasion, partnerships and persistence — terrain that can be as treacherous as ice fields, steep mountain passes and desert dunes.
But Thomas has never been intimidated by difficult terrain.
At 70, Thomas is not chasing records.
He is building legacy.
For a man who has spent four decades exploring the edges of the map, the Asia Offroad Expo & Convention 2026 may prove that the greatest frontier is not geographical — it is communal.
And once again, Thomas is choosing to go where few have gone before.
The Team Behind the Mission
Thomas has full confidence in the team assembled for this mission, led by Operations Director Ames Tan and business director Dennis Sea. Together, they have led worldwide 4x4 expeditions across multiple continents, organised endurance events, and marketed and distributed outdoor and expedition brands.
They understand the terrain — literally and figuratively. And the community knows and trusts them.
Thomas is also the founder of the Overland Explorer Centre. Over the past 35 years, he has organised and led 46 major 4x4 expeditions across Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and Siberia.
From Passion to Policy: Shaping ASEAN’s Offroad Future
Through this Expo, Thomas hopes to lay the groundwork for broader industry initiatives, including passing resolutions for the following:
- Positioning ASEAN as a global offroad and adventure manufacturing powerhouse
- Harmonising safety and quality standards
- Establishing a roadmap for electrification and sustainable adventure mobility
- Launching an ASEAN Adventure Tourism Integration Initiative
- Forming an ASEAN Offroad and Adventure Industry Council
- Creating an ASEAN talent development and skills charter
“With more EV vehicles being produced,” Thomas says, “we need a roadmap for electrification and sustainable adventure mobility.”
Always the expedition leader, Thomas plans this journey with the same intensity and meticulous detail as any remote crossing.
Whether offroad — or organising an expo for the first time — he prepares thoroughly to ensure the journey is meaningful for everyone involved.
Website: www.asiaoffroadexpo.com
Contact: +60 13 6338833 | sales@asiaoffroadexpo.com
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