Internship Road Trip and Experience at TASA/TASB - txEDCON

My fall internship with Daktronics took me far beyond San Antonio. What started as a simple flight on September 4th from San Antonio to Chicago, then on to Sioux Falls, SD, turned into a two-week journey that tested my endurance, teamwork and professional skills.

After arriving in Brookings, I spent the weekend preparing mentally for what came next: a 17-hour road trip from South Dakota to Houston, Texas, hauling a truck and trailer full of equipment for the TASA/TASB - txEDCON Convention.

The Road to Houston
On Monday, September 8th, Camden (a Brookings-based intern) and I hit the road at 6:30 a.m. I drove the first five hours and, along the way, we passed through Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri (thanks to a missed exit), before stopping in Kansas for some Mexican food. By the evening, we had reached downtown Oklahoma City, making it 10 hours total for the day and 7 more to get to our destination.

The following morning, we continued south, stopping in Dallas for lunch and a driver switch before making it to The Woodlands, TX, just outside Houston. There we met Jacob (a Houston-based intern) and celebrated our arrival with dinner at a Colombian restaurant while watching the national soccer team’s decisive game against Venezuela. The atmosphere was incredible and after celebrating 6 goals, Colombia took the win.

One of the highlights of the drive was seeing how different each state felt - landscapes, people and even the food. And of course, I can’t forget pulling into Buc-ee’s, the largest gas station in the U.S. Since Camden had never been into a Buc-ee’s before, I was thrilled to show him what it looks like. Camden said it was an experience in and of itself and that he had never seen such a thing. 

Setting the Stage at TASA/TASB - txEDCON
On September 10th, Jacob, Camden and I set up our booth at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. Our job was to make sure everything was running smoothly, from connecting the All Sport Pro to ensuring the iPad controls were working so we could demo its features to school administrators and district leaders.

TASA/TASB is the joint convention of the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Association of School Boards. It brings together superintendents, board members, administrators, architects and construction firms from across Texas. For Daktronics, it is a critical opportunity, not only to showcase solutions for high schools and communities, but to connect with decision-makers who directly influence athletic facility projects.

Networking, Learning and Teamwork
When the convention opened on September 11th, I had the chance to work alongside Ellie Ashalintubbi (Houston Sales Rep – HSPR), Brian Clancy (Fort Worth Sales Rep – HSPR), Carson Davis (East Texas Sales Rep – HSPR) and Paul Wildeman (Region Manager). Together, we invited school leaders to our booth, showed them how the All-Sport Pro could simplify operations by controlling everything from a single iPad, and introduced them to additional services like CTE programs support and revenue generation opportunities through Daktronics Sports Marketing (DSM).

For me, it was a great experience to sharpen my communication and presentation skills. I learned how to ask the right questions, finding out whether schools were already Daktronics customers, how their systems were working and what challenges they faced. More importantly, I practiced presenting solutions with confidence and clarity.

Another big takeaway was teamwork. The logistics of hauling equipment across the country, setting up a booth and running demos smoothly demanded constant communication and trust. Whether it was dividing driving shifts, showcasing the display or engaging with visitors, collaboration was key.

Wrapping Up
Over the next two days, the convention continued to be a success. Our sales representatives built strong connections not only with school administrators but also with architects, contractors and other vendors who often play a role in integrating Daktronics products into new projects.

After long days on the convention floor, we had the chance to bond as a team over dinners in Houston, learning more about each other and sharing how we found our way to Daktronics.

By Saturday, September 13th, it was time to pack up the booth and hit the road again. Camden and I made it as far as Guthrie, OK, before resting for the night, and then finished the final 10 hours back to Brookings on Sunday, September 14th. Exhausted but proud, we parked the truck and trailer at headquarters, closing the loop on an unforgettable trip.

Final Reflection
This experience showed me just how important Daktronics’ presence at TASA/TASB is, not just for showcasing products, but for earning trust and building lasting relationships across the education and construction landscape in Texas.

On a personal level, I came away with stronger communication and logistics skills, a deeper appreciation for teamwork, and plenty of memories that only the Daktronics sales internship gives you. 

Most of all, I realized that sales is not just about products. It’s about people, preparation and persistence. And I’m grateful Daktronics gave me the chance to experience all three on this trip.