In the fall of 2000, the University had developed a university committee to discuss bringing concerts back to the UNI campus. This committee was made up of faculty, staff and students. There were many ideas that circled that table, but at the time no decisons were made. The Student Activities Office and Northern Iowa Student Government made contacts within the entertainment industry to bring live music back to campus. Within weeks, a band was booked, a committee soley of students were formed, and they had about five weeks to put it all together before the first show! The first show was a hit! 1,400 students attended the then popular Nine Days concert and got that ball rolling! Soon after that first show, the subcommittee from NISG decided it would be a benefit to the campus community if it seperated from student government and became a recognized student organization. That fall Panther Productions was adopted as the name and the group moved forward.

The first show to put Panther Productions on the map was that very next spring. The group had an opportunity to bring an up and coming rap artist to campus. Their were extremely nervous about spending that kind of money, but after to talking to many students, that decided to offer on the show. That April, Panther Productions hosted the largest show for NELLY on his first big tour. The show sold out (7,500) in a matter of hours and put Panther Productions on the map!

Since it's inception, Panther Productions has produced shows with the following artists:

Nine Days (2000)
Nelly (2001)
SmashMouth (2001)
George Clinton and P-Funk (2002)
Hoobastank (2002)
Jason Mraz (2003)
Ja Rule (2003)
Black Eyed Peas (2004)
Lucky Boys Confusion (2004)
Yellowcard (2005)
Ben Folds Five (2006)
Wreckers (2007)
Switchfoot/Relient K (2007)
OAR (2008)