Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Harman. Him and his team share the LaserNet story with us below.
Please kick things off for us, where does Tom’s story begin?
Tom has personally been in the laser entertainment industry since 1976. A graduate of the University of Florida, he started in planetariums, performing all over the nation to thousands of people. In 1984, Mr. Harman transplanted the company to Miami, Florida and took the company in the direction of corporate theater and special events. Throughout the years the company has grown into the realm of permanent installations. By manufacturing a standard line of projectors, LaserNet has been able to service the entire laser industry with their products. Being located in Miami has allowed LaserNet to work closely with the cruise ship industry. LaserNet maintains all the laser system installed on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Nightclubs and theme parks have also taken advantage of the LaserNet excellence. Mr. Harman continues to be actively involved with LaserNet and looks forward to moving forward along with the new technology.
It’s a family affair too…Tom’s wife of 38 years, Barbara, works with him on projects, and for the past four years, their daughter, Allison, has been a laser technician, helping to build the electronic devices and perform special events, like Ultra Music Festival.
Tom won the ILDA Career Achievement Award, 2012.
Tom, can you tell us a bit more about LaserNet?
My life life revolves around LaserNet. Laser Production Network is the oldest laser entertainment company in the world. We began in 1968 performing light shows for Rock & Roll bands in clubs and theaters. The light show grew to become a solo act and moved into the environment of planetariums as Eye See the Light Show. The light show traveled the continent and expanded to five simultaneous productions across the country in the late seventies. In 1983 the light show landed at the Miami Space Transit Planetarium in Miami, Florida and became Laser Productions. Since that time, the company has expanded into corporate theater, producing laser shows for companies like IBM, Ford, Budweiser, and DuPont, performing throughout the United States and extensively in Latin America.
Laser Production Network always strives to use this production experience to improve and enhance the project, no matter how big or small. From Lighting Up the cities of Miami, Jacksonville, and Orlando, or a new product promotion for DuPont, IBM, and AT&T, to the inaugural game for the NHL Florida Panthers – the professionals continually come back for more. In 1987, while continuing our ever busy show production schedule, Laser Productions set forth on a path of manufacturing, developing affordable products for the laser entertainment industry. Some of these products are the Laser Pro, LaserXpress, Vscan, Dualscan, Smartscan, Scanner Pro, Fiber Pro, Imagemax, Colormax to name just a few. Our laser projection products are currently some of the best quality for the price in the marketplace. As of now, our products can be seen aboard 20+ Cruise Ships, at Busch Gardens/Tampa, Sea World Orlando, and various nightclubs! In Las Vegas, you can see our lasers in Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson “One” show at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Have you seen our digital “Countdown to Midnight” at Bayfront Park’s New Year’s Eve Celebration? Plus, LaserNet’s special effects projectors can be seen at Miami’s new Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium.
Laser Production Network is one of founding and charter members of the International Laser Display Association (ILDA) and continues to have an active role in the association. In November 1995, Laser Production Network hosted the annual ILDA Conference and Trade Show in Miami, Florida. The conference was extremely well attended, and ILDA membership grew dramatically as a result. In 2007, LaserNet was instrumental in organizing an ILDA booth at LDI and creating the first-ever ILDA Laser Theatre for demo shows and lectures. We again hosted the annual conference in 2008, 2010, and in 2014.
In addition, LaserNet is the first company to receive the “ILDA Accredited Professional Lasershow Company”. The ILDA Professional program is for companies, organizations, and individuals that have proven, documented and substantial experience with laser shows and safety. Accreditation is not easy to receive. The applicant must prove a minimum level of documented experience in the following areas.
LaserNet has also been a long-standing member of the International Special Events Society, now known as, the International Live Events Association, ILEA. A Charter member of the South Florida Chapter, we support ILEA and its membership.
LaserNet manufacturers all of its own, high powered laser light projectors in Miami and our products are sold worldwide. LaserNet’s “network” continues to grow with the times and we continue to offer our clients the very best in laser display entertainment.
I would also like to acknowledge key individuals in our organization: Christine Jenkin, VP of Operations and Horacio Pugliese, Chief Technical Officer.
Has it been a smooth road?
Keeping up with technology has been a challenge. Our business is marriage of Art and Science. In the beginning, Lasers were (and continue to be) scientific laboratory instruments which we took out into the world of rock and roll. We had to create the effects, build the electronics, design the optical bench and make it able to go out on special events/tours to perform its magic for the public. The original laser systems were very expensive, very heavy and very dangerous. The lasers required 208 – 480 Volts AC at 60 Amps, 3 phase, and were water cooled. This very inefficient light source had all this high electrical voltage with cooling water flowing right next to the electric. But, this danger was necessary in order to create the amazing laser light effects that still thrills me every day. Today, our ScannerPro projectors are 110 Volts AC, are air-cooled and weigh 50 pounds. Today’s technology, like any electronic device, has been miniaturized and now combines tiny Red, Green, and Blue laser diodes to create beautiful effects that keep us in this crazy business.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am most proud of the people of LaserNet. Our talented staff goes the extra mile to ensure our client’s needs are taken care of. We believe you are only as good as your last show, and the show must go on, no matter what. Our dedication to the client is one of the main factors that has kept the company alive all these years.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
LaserNet is a unique company specializing in Laser Light Shows and Special Effects. Miami has been good to us from the beginning at Miami’s Space Transit Planetarium with our Pink Floyd shows, to now, with our close relationships to the Cruise Ship Industry, Miami’s easy access to the Caribbean and South America and as a corporate destination.
I took our lasers out of the planetarium and went to South Beach’s first megaclub, Club Z. We then were the design consultants for Miami’s Bayfront Park Laser Tower. I like to think we were influential in the growth of Miami and the Beaches.
Contact Info:
- Address: LaserNet, 20209 NE 15th Court, Miami, FL 33179
- Website: www.lasernet.com
- Phone: (305) 690-6885
- Email: tom@lasernet.com
Image Credit:
Tom Harman
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