This year’s First Alert Professional conference drew more than 850 dealer partners and attendees to the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz. The theme of this year’s Honeywell dealer conference revolved around technology — everything new, current, or in progress — and aimed to deliver the message that First Alert’s dealer program can help you grow your business through dealer and consumer education, training support, new products and state-of-the-art technologies including GSM, Internet, and SMS.

“Are you ready?” — this year’s theme — was asked repeatedly during the opening session and throughout the weekend. “We are ready to help you get there,” answered Joe Sausa, president of First Alert Professional.

In an effort to convey the changing face of the security industry, Sausa added in his opening remarks, “If you don’t have an IT person on staff, you will soon.”

The guest speaker at this year’s conference was Keith Harrel, a.k.a. Dr. Attitude, an author and motivational speaker, who sent the message that “attitude is a choice and energy is power.” Positive thinking can help dealers and any one else succeed, Harrel said.

This year’s educational sessions were largely chosen, suggested, and lead by dealers. Sessions included motivating the sales team; life safety; tackling commercial sales; principles of operations with excellent results; and building your business with video and access. Sessions were widely attended with close to 100 dealers signed up for each session.

The weekend was rounded out with a black tie awards ceremony and dinner. Next year’s First Alert Professional conference will take place November 13 to 16, 2008 in Orlando, Fla., with a “Dancing with the Sales Stars,” theme.