The nationally recognized Partners In Business program evolved out of Utah State University's annual banking seminar.

Under the direction of Dr. Vern Buehler, and with the support of Utah Bankers Association, the very first banking seminar took place in 1970. Building on its early successes, Utah State University then initiated several four-day seminars.  These seminars branched out to cover quality and productivity, real estate, insurance and accounting.

Three more seminars were introduced in the 1980s to cover world trade, human resource management, and management information systems. Each seminar was jointly sponsored with an appropriate Utah professional association.

When the Partners in Business program was designed, the mission included the following elements:

• expand the faculty's knowledge development and growth in key industries
• strengthen the bonds between Utah State University and the industry
• increase the relevance of the college's instructional program
• expose students to employment opportunities and the real world of business

The official inauguration of Partners in Business coincided with the first productivity seminar in May 1976. Since its modest beginnings, the program has grown to win praise from many national and international leaders. The program has attracted many "great minds" over the years, including Milton Friedman, Peter Drucker, Alan Greenspan, W. Edwards Deming and Shigeo Shingo, who each presented at early Partners' seminars. 

Although Dr. Buehler retired in 1989, Partner’s unique model has withstood the test of time, and constantly strives to fill the needs and interests of business practitioners.

Today, Partners in Business is a student-run, non-profit organization sponsored by the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.  Partners In Business continues to bring in experts from across the nation and the industry to speak with business practitioners.  It is currently under the direction of Ken Snyder.