NACDA: From Brookings To Las Vegas

This summer, I had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention in Las Vegas as a Sales Intern. The trip provided valuable hands-on experience, professional networking opportunities and a closer look at the sports technology industry.

The journey started with Haynes, my fellow intern, and me driving a Penske truck from Brookings, South Dakota, to Las Vegas, Nevada, going through Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah along the way. After arriving, we spent two days setting up the Daktronics booth and then enjoyed some time exploring the city, including the Las Vegas Strip, Fremont Street, the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign and the UNLV campus.

At NACDA, I met athletic directors from schools across all levels of collegiate athletics and learned about the challenges and opportunities they face. I also had the chance to connect with Daktronics' Large Sports Venue (LSV) sales team, gaining insight into their daily responsibilities and career paths within the company.

One of the most encouraging parts of the trip was hearing that several current sales team members started as Daktronics sales interns. Their experiences reinforced the opportunities available through the internship program and the potential for future growth within the company.

After the convention concluded, we worked through a fast-paced booth teardown that required strong teamwork and adaptability. Once everything was wrapped up, we left the Penske truck in Las Vegas and flew back to Sioux Falls.

Overall, NACDA was an incredible experience that allowed me to represent Daktronics, build professional connections and learn more about the sales side of the sports industry. I'm grateful for the opportunity and excited to apply what I learned moving forward.

Luke Randall | Daktronics Sales Intern | South Dakota State University | Business Econ Major