10-K 1 a2154620z10-k.htm 10-K
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
ý	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
or
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

Commission File Number 333-57201

Advanstar Communications Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		59-2757389 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Park Avenue, New York, New York (Address of principal executive offices)		10016 (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 951-6600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes o No ý.

As of June 30, 2004, none of the registrant's common stock was held by non-affiliates of the registrant.

As of March 29, 2005, the registrant had 1,000,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.

PART I

Item I—BUSINESS

FORWARD LOOKING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THIS ANNUAL REPORT, OTHER REPORTS, AND COMMUNICATIONS TO SECURITYHOLDERS, AS WELL AS ORAL STATEMENTS MADE BY THE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OF ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. ("ADVANSTAR" OR THE "COMPANY") MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, MADE PURSUANT TO THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. A FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT IS USUALLY IDENTIFIED BY OUR USE OF CERTAIN TERMINOLOGY INCLUDING "BELIEVES," "EXPECTS," "MAY," "WILL," "SHOULD," "SEEKS," "PRO FORMA," "ANTICIPATES" OR "INTENDS" OR BY DISCUSSIONS OF STRATEGY OR INTENTIONS. THESE STATEMENTS MAY RELATE TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ADVANSTAR'S FUTURE REVENUES, OPERATING INCOME, EBITDA AND THE PLANS AND OBJECTIVES OF MANAGEMENT. ALL FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDED HEREIN ARE MADE AS OF THE DATE HEREOF, BASED ON INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO ADVANSTAR AS OF THE DATE THEREOF, AND ADVANSTAR ASSUMES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT OR TO CONFORM ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT TO ACTUAL RESULTS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NEITHER PROMISES NOR GUARANTEES AND INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, AND ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DISCUSSED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE SUCH VARIATION ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT, PARTICULARLY UNDER THE HEADING "CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS," AND IN ADVANSTAR'S OTHER REPORTS AND REGISTRATION STATEMENTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

Industry and market data for the business-to-business ("B-to-B") media industry and our market share and relative industry positions used throughout this annual report were obtained through company research, internal company surveys and studies conducted by third parties, independent industry publications and other publicly available information. We have not independently verified market and industry data from third-party sources. In addition, while we believe internal company surveys are reliable and we believe that we define markets appropriately, none of such surveys nor such market definitions have been verified by any independent sources.

In particular:

•: Industry overview: Except where otherwise specifically referenced, we have based our discussion of the B-to-B communications industry on publications by Veronis Suhler Stevenson and reports and studies by the B-to-B trade association, including Business Information Network (BIN) an information source of American Business Media.
•: Trade Shows: We rank our trade shows against the trade shows of our competitors based on an internally conducted analysis of net square footage of exhibition space. This data is typically reported by trade show organizers and published in the Tradeshow Week Quarterly Report, a quarterly publication that lists trade shows grouped by show date. We include both direct and indirect competitors in such comparisons. Direct competitors are the trade shows within the

same industrial classification code and geographic region as our trade shows, although we only include trade shows within the same industrial classification code that are within the same subcategory, as defined by us, as our trade shows. For example, we only include women's apparel shows in providing data about our women's apparel trade shows, although the relevant industrial classification code covers all apparel shows. Direct competitors are also determined in some cases by the time of the year during which a trade show is held. Indirect competitors are subjectively determined by us on a case-by-case basis. These indirect competitors include: (1) broad-based trade shows we know from prior experience that display, among other products, products displayed at our trade shows and (2) trade shows identified by our current exhibitors as other trade shows in which they participate. In determining our market position in comparison to these broad-based shows, we compare the square footage of our show against the estimated square footage of that broad-based show allocated to the products that are of the same type as those displayed in our trade show. Some of our trade shows have insignificant or no direct competition.

•: Trade Publications: We utilize the industry-standard method of ranking our publications against competitors' publications based on the number of advertising pages as determined, except where otherwise specifically referenced, by Inquiry Management Systems Ltd. and PERQ, independent vendors. For purposes of these rankings, we have defined our markets narrowly as the niche of businesses or professionals at which a publication is specifically targeted.

General

We are a leading worldwide provider of integrated, B-to-B, marketing communications products and services for specific industry sectors, principally through trade shows and conferences and through controlled circulation trade, business and professional magazines. We also provide a broad range of other direct marketing products, including classified advertising, direct mail services, reprints, database marketing, directories, guides and reference books. Additionally, we produce a limited number of consumer expositions and publications. We are the fourth largest U.S. trade show operator based on the number of trade shows and total square footage in 2004 and the second largest B-to-B trade publisher in the United States as measured by advertising pages in 2004. In 2004, most of our trade shows and stand-alone conferences were among the leading events in their respective markets based on square footage. For the year ended December 31, 2004, 76% of our 67 magazines and journals for which competitive data is available ranked either #1 or #2 in their respective markets, based on number of advertising pages. We had approximately 1,400 employees as of December 31, 2004 in 21 U.S. offices and 5 international locations in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Industry Overview

B-to-B communications companies provide marketing solutions for their customers through trade shows and conferences, trade publications, ancillary direct marketing services and through Internet applications. According to the July 2004 Veronis Suhler Stevenson Communications Industry Forecast, total spending on B-to-B communications, including magazines and trade shows, was expected to increase 1.7% to $20.0 billion in 2004, the industry's first notable gain in four years.

According to Veronis Suhler Stevenson, spending was expected to increase in 2004 after remaining about level at $19.7 billion in 2003, when business-to-business magazine spending dipped and trade shows grew slowly. In 2003 the market stabilized after declining 9.1% in 2002 and 12.4% in 2001. Business-to-business media spending fell 2.0% on a compounded annual basis from 1998 to 2003, due to substantial declines in 2001 and 2002.

According to Veronis Suhler Stevenson, total spending on U.S. trade shows and conferences amounted to $8.7 billion in 2003, bolstered by the success of healthcare events and sporting goods and

recreation shows. The marginal growth in 2003 represented an improvement over the 1.2% decline posted in 2002 and the 3.2% decline in 2001. Trade show spending continues to grow faster than magazine spending in 2004. As measured by Tradeshow Week, the twelve months ended 9/30/04 saw an increase in all three primary trade show indicators: square footage grew by 2.8%, attendance by 1.6% and the number of exhibiting companies by 2.2%.

Total spending on business-to-business magazines declined 0.7% to $11.0 billion in 2003, according to Veronis Suhler Stevenson, due to flat advertising spending and a drop in paid circulation expenditures. The marginal fall-off in 2003 represented an improvement over the double-digit declines sustained in each of the previous two years. Total business-to-business magazine spending was expected to rebound throughout 2004, posting a 1.3% gain to $11.1 billion. Industry-wide advertising pages, as measured by American Business Media, increased 1.4% in 2004 from 2003 levels following a 3.2% decline in 2003 from 2002 levels.

Veronis Suhler Stevenson is forecasting that total spending on business-to-business media will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% from 2003 to 2008, reaching $13.3 billion in 2008.

Trade Shows

Trade shows play a key role in B-to-B sales and marketing efforts and are utilized in the global economy as a highly cost-effective sales and marketing tool. Trade shows provide an opportunity for industry participants to conduct face-to-face selling efforts, transact business and receive product information from exhibits, conferences, workshops and other forums. Trade show attendees include executives, manufacturing and operating management, sales and marketing personnel, industry analysts, middle-level managers, buyers and other industry professionals.

Trade Publications

Trade publications are generally published monthly and provide information about a specific industry or market segment within an industry. Advertisers are attracted to B-to-B print media by the highly targeted and controlled circulation of publications. By focusing on targeted audiences, publishers aim to connect advertisers with key purchasing decision-makers. Controlled distribution assists advertisers in reaching very specific target groups and provides for more efficient use of advertising dollars. The historical growth in B-to-B publishing has been driven primarily by rising levels of advertising spending as opposed to growth in subscription revenues.

As reported by the December 2004 American Business Media report, the current upturn in marketing and advertising was driven by the telecommunications; drugs and toiletries; and finance, business & advertising markets. Advertising pages in these sectors increased 9.2%, 6.4%, and 3.1%, respectively, in 2004 from 2003 levels.

Product Segments

Our business is grouped in three broad segments reflecting products and services we provide to our customers to serve their marketing and their customers' needs. We offer our customers a comprehensive array of B-to-B communications products and services to reach their existing and prospective buyers on a cost-effective basis. Our product and service offerings are trade shows and conferences, trade publications, and direct marketing products and other. See footnote 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the breakdown of revenue, profit, and assets by segment.

Trade Shows and Conferences

As of December 31, 2004, we owned and managed 54 trade shows and 40 standalone conferences for business, professional and consumer audiences worldwide, most of which were among the leading events in their respective markets based on square footage. Six of our largest trade shows are listed in the April 2004 issue of Tradeshow Week 200's list of the top 200 trade shows as measured by total square footage. These included MAGIC Spring, MAGIC Fall, International Powersports Dealer Expo, AIIM Conference and Expo, International Beauty Show New York and Licensing International. Additionally, we own Telexpo, which we believe is the largest telecommunications trade show in Latin America. Collectively, these seven trade shows represented 2.7 million of the 4.5 million total square footage of all our trade shows for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Our trade show revenue is derived primarily from the sale of trade show floor space to exhibitors, show-specific advertising, sponsorships and conferences. Trade show revenue accounted for approximately 40%, 46% and 50% of our revenue in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.

Trade shows are a long-established means of community building, bringing buyers and sellers in one particular industry or business face-to-face, in a single forum. In addition, as new products and services proliferate, both suppliers and their customers need efficient forums to interact and transact business with one another. Events often include an extensive conference program, which provides a forum for the exchange and dissemination of information relevant to the particular event's focus. A conference linked to a trade show plays a strategic role in trade show development because it represents the unique editorial content for an event, and it can be used to build new segments, raise the profile of particular segments or technologies and drive attendance at the underlying trade show. In addition, each event typically has one or more keynote speakers drawn from notable industry leaders.

The advantages of trade shows to exhibitors and attendees are summarized below:

Advantages to Exhibitor		Advantages to Attendee
•	conduct sales more efficiently than in the field;	•	receive overview of market and emerging trends;
•	position product and company in target industry;	•	network with industry participants;
•	communicate vision;	•	identify and work with new vendors; and
•	service existing customers;	•	source new products.
•	open new accounts; and
•	introduce new products.

Trade Publications

We are the second largest B-to-B trade publisher in the United States as measured by advertising pages in 2004. As of December 31, 2004, we published 77 specialized business magazines and professional journals, five electronic magazines, one consumer publication, 22 directories and several other customized publications. Of our 67 magazines and journals for which competitive data is available, 76% ranked either #1 or #2 in their respective markets, based on the number of advertising pages in the year ended December 31, 2004.

Our publications are generally distributed free-of-charge to qualified professional recipients and generate revenues predominantly from advertising. Trade publications revenue accounted for approximately 44%, 48% and 55% of our total revenue in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Our largest publications based on revenue include Dental Product Reports, Medical Economics, Travel Agent, Home Media Retailer (formerly Video Store Magazine), Drug Topics, RN, Pharmaceutical Technology, American Salon, DVM -The News Magazine of Veterinary Medicine and Motor Age. Collectively these 10

magazines represented 37% of publication revenue and 33% of total advertising pages of all our publications for the year ended December 31, 2004.

By offering our advertisers access to a targeted and industry-specific customer base, we believe that we are able to sell advertising space in our publications at a rate per customer that is higher than the average rate charged by publications aimed at more general audiences. We believe that our targeted circulation lists for our U.S. and international publications provide our advertising customers with a cost-effective method of reaching their target market's decision-makers. We seek to increase advertising revenues by introducing existing advertisers to new titles, by attracting new advertisers who target our readership and by developing new reader and advertising categories.

The advantages of trade publications to advertisers and readers are summarized below:

Advantages to Advertiser		Advantages to Reader
•	cost effective;	•	relevant, industry specific information;
•	highly targeted audience of qualified readers;	•	promotion of industry stewardship;
•	focused medium; attractive means to introduce new products;	•	keep up with peers in the industry; and
•	audited, controlled circulation; and	•	interactive follow-up system in print and/or electronically.
•	editorial 100% focused on target market.

Direct Marketing Products and Other

We provide a comprehensive set of marketing communications products, services and support geared to a variety of industries' marketing and customer needs. These services include direct mail and database marketing programs, reprint services, reference books and other services to facilitate our clients' marketing and communications programs. These services are incremental to trade shows and publications and allow our customers to supplement their marketing plans.

Direct marketing products and other group is centrally managed, thus allowing our trade show and publishing executives to dedicate their activities to high value sales. In addition, our central telesales and product management provide professional skills to these specialized product offerings. Direct marketing products and other accounted for approximately 6% of our revenue in each of 2002 and 2003 and 5% of our revenue in 2004.

Internet

In addition to our three product segments, we work with Advanstar.com, a subsidiary of our parent, to use Internet based products and services to complement our delivery of trade show, publishing and direct marketing products to our customers. We also utilize the Internet as a cost-effective method of developing qualifying magazine circulation, marketing our products and to register trade show and conference attendees. We expect to merge the operations of Advanstar.com with our operations in 2005. See Item 13. "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions-Relationship with Advanstar.com."

Industry Sectors

We also operate our business by targeting a number of industry sectors in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia through certain niche markets grouped together in five core clusters: Fashion; Specialty Retail; Healthcare, Science & Pharmaceutical; Information Technology & Communication; and Travel & Hospitality. For financial information relating to Advanstar's operations by geographic area see Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. In addition to our five core clusters, we have grouped the industry sectors in which we provide products and services but do not have a significant industry presence into a "Portfolio" cluster. We believe that by focusing on industries in addition to product segments, we better identify the broad array of our customers' marketing communications needs, which our products and services can meet. In addition, we believe our industry focus allows us to cross-sell our products and services effectively and to capture a larger share of our customers' marketing budgets. In each of our niche markets, many of the same customers advertise in our publications, exhibit at our trade shows and use our direct marketing products to reach their buyers. We have expanded our trade show, conference and publication offerings within each cluster through new product introductions and strategic acquisitions, which we believe maximize our existing marketing and customer service infrastructure and industry expertise.

The following chart displays our cluster-based integrated revenue model:

Business Strategy

Our objective is to increase profitability by solidifying our position as a leading provider of comprehensive one-stop B-to-B marketing communications products and services in selected industries. In order to achieve this objective, we operate our business based on the following strategies:

Operate Leading Trade Shows and Publish Leading Magazines in Attractive Niche Markets

We focus on owning and managing businesses that are the leading sources of information for businesses and professionals in specific niches. We believe that our trade shows and trade publications serve as unique forums for B-to-B communications and provide substantial value to industry participants. Niche markets are often attractive publishing and trade show opportunities because of the difficulty in reaching industry leaders through general interest publications or broad based expositions. Of our 67 magazines and journals for which competitive data is available, 76% ranked either #1 or #2 in their respective niche markets in the year ended December 31, 2004. Most of our trade shows and conferences also were among the leading events in their respective markets based upon total square footage.

Utilize Industry Cluster Strategy to Drive Growth

We organize our business based on the markets served which allows us to provide expertise across all media products within a market. It also allows us to respond effectively to the market needs of buyers and sellers however they may choose to go to market to reach their customers. We are able to address evolving market needs through multiple means, including:

•: adaptation of existing trade shows and magazines to reflect industry trends and attract new categories of buyers and sellers;
•: development of new product extensions based on interaction with key members of the buying and selling community;
•: identification and introduction of international extensions of successful U.S. based products; and
•: identification of fill-in acquisition and joint venture opportunities based on continuing interaction within the market.

Maximize Share of Customers' Total Marketing Expenditures

We seek to create cross-selling opportunities across existing products and services and, as a result of such efforts, seek to maximize our share of each customer's total marketing budget. We offer customers a range of communication methods to attain their specific marketing goals. For example, customers can choose to benefit from face-to-face meetings at trade shows and conferences, achieve cost effective advertising through controlled circulation trade publications and diversify and expand revenues through customized marketing services, including Internet advertising and education based programs through web sites owned and operated by our affiliate, Advanstar.com.

Launch New Products and Services Within Existing Industry Sectors

We have successfully developed new products within existing industry sectors and will continue to make strategic new product introductions. In 2004, we launched four magazines and six trade shows in our existing industry sectors to fill in our product portfolio. Our launches are generally line extensions, regional expansions or entries into adjacent markets of existing product concepts, and, as a result, such product launches generally require less capital investment and are less risky than major new product introductions.

Identify and Consummate Strategic Acquisitions

As we expand further into our existing industry sectors, we explore strategic acquisitions and joint ventures designed to maintain and achieve market leading positions in particular niche markets. We believe we enhance the value of acquired businesses by (1) integrating acquisitions and joint ventures into our efficient infrastructure, (2) applying our industry experience and (3) cross-selling new products and services to increase our visibility in a given market. From May 31, 1996 to December 31, 2004, we completed 38 acquisitions and joint ventures. On March 8, 2004, we purchased a portfolio of pharmaceutical industry specific magazines and conferences from the Institute of Validation Technology, Inc. ("IVT") for $7.9 million in cash. See Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Presentation of Financial Information-Acquisitions and Joint Ventures." Consistent with our strategy since 1996, we are engaged in ongoing evaluations of potential acquisitions of complementary businesses.

Industry Sectors

The following is a summary of our products and services by industry sector.

Fashion

Our Fashion group serves the men's, women's and children's industries. In 2004, we operated in these industry sectors through 14 trade shows. Five trade shows held concurrently in Las Vegas twice annually constitute the foundation of our apparel market position:

•: MAGIC, the world's largest and most widely recognized trade show for the men's apparel industry;
•: WWDMAGIC, which we believe is one of the largest women's apparel trade shows in the United States;
•: MAGICKids, which we believe is one of the largest children's apparel shows in the United States;
•: The Edge, a showcase for cutting edge trends in men's, women's and unisex fashions; and
•: Fabric at MAGIC, a new venue for our customers to complete their apparel and accessory collection through fabric, trim, leather, suede, fiber, print designs, and design technology.

The following table sets forth information relating to trade shows in our Fashion group in the year ended December 31, 2004. We currently have no publications in this group.

Fashion Events

	Exhibitions
Sector	Number	2004 Net Square Footage
Mens (includes Edge)	4	1,289,929
Womens	4	546,790
Kids	2	52,288
Fabric	4	68,550

Specialty Retail

We served the Specialty Retail sector through 23 trade shows, two conferences and 12 publications for the year ended December 31, 2004. This group includes the beauty, entertainment/marketing and motor vehicles sectors.

Key trade shows and publications include:

•: International Powersports Dealer Expo, the largest aftermarket accessories trade show in the United States targeted at powersports dealers, the 13 city tour of consumer International Motorcycle shows and Dealernews, the #1 magazine targeted at retailers in the powersports market;
•: Licensing International, which we believe is one of the largest trade shows worldwide for the merchandise licensing industry, and License!, the #1 publication for the licensing industry;
•: IBS New York, the largest trade show and educational event on the East Coast for the beauty salon market, American Salon, the #1 publication for the professional beauty and hair care industry;
•: Aftermarket Business, the #2 aftermarket book in the United States and three other automotive magazines in the United States, which provide Advanstar an important position in the automotive parts, supplies and services publishing market; and
•: Home Media Retailing, the #2 publication for the in home video rental market from production to distribution.

In 2004, we launched our first consumer-based magazine, DIRTsports, the only consumer magazine covering the off-road motorsports market.

The following table sets forth information relating to trade shows, conferences and magazines in our Specialty Retail cluster in the year ended December 31, 2004:

Specialty Retail Events and Magazines

	Exhibitions		Conferences	Magazines (1)
Sector	Number	2004 Net Square Footage	Number	Number	2004 Ad Pages	Number of our magazines ranked #1 or #2(2)
Beauty	2	167,280	—	2	2,571	2 of 2
Entertainment/Marketing	5	321,294	2	4	2,117	2 of 3
Motor Vehicle	16	1,270,388	—	6	4,112	4 of 6

(1): Excludes directories.
(2): Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Healthcare, Science & Pharmaceutical

We serve the Healthcare, Science & Pharmaceutical sector by providing marketing products and services to these three related sectors with 6 trade shows, 23 conferences and 42 publications for the year ended December 31, 2004. We serve the healthcare sector in both the primary and specialized care areas, such as geriatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology and veterinary medicine; the science sector in areas such as spectroscopy and liquid and gas chromatography; and the pharmaceutical sector in areas such as research and development, manufacturing, testing and marketing.

Key trade shows, conferences and publications include:

•: Medical Economics, one of the flagship publications serving physicians in the United States since its launch in 1923, which informs physicians about the business side of medicine and all the non-clinical issues associated with running a private, office-based practice;
•: Pharmaceutical Technology, the #1 publication targeted at pharmaceutical scientists, engineers and operation managers, and Pharmaceutical Executive, the #1 magazine for pharmaceutical company product managers and marketing professionals;
•: LCGC and LCGC Europe, the #1 magazines in the United States and Europe in liquid and gas chromatography;
•: DVM, The News Magazine of Veterinary Medicine, and Veterinary Economics, the #1 and #2 magazines for veterinarians;
•: Drug Topics, the #2 magazine for pharmacists reporting on all phases of pharmacy;
•: IVT Conferences, a worldwide conference provider of FDA validation and compliance information in the pharmaceutical industry;
•: Dental Products Report, the #2 publication serving the information needs of dentists since 1967, which focuses on new products being introduced to the dental profession and features editorial content on techniques and product usage, trends in general and specialty dentistry, infection control and practice safety, new technologies, and cosmetic and restorative dentistry; and
•: Central Veterinary Conference, a conference and trade show for practice management and clinical medicine.

The following table sets forth information relating to trade shows, conferences and magazines in our Healthcare, Science & Pharmaceutical group in the year ended December 31, 2004:

Healthcare, Science & Pharmaceutical Events and Magazines

	Exhibitions		Conferences	Magazines(1)
Sector	Number	2004 Net Square Footage	Number	Number	2004 Ad Pages	Number of our magazines ranked #1 or #2(2)
Healthcare	6	172,450	2	27	14,542	18 of 23
Pharmaceutical	—	N/A	19	9	4,193	5 of 7
Science	—	N/A	2	6	2,064	4 of 4

(1): Excludes directories.
(2): Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Information Technology & Communications

Our Information Technology & Communications group serves the information technology, telecommunications, engineering and manufacturing technology and call center industries. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we operated in these industry sectors through 9 trade shows, 14 conferences and 12 publications. Our focus in the information technology market is data storage, digital printing and digital media. Additionally, we have a worldwide presence in trade shows and magazines serving the telecommunications industry, and also serve markets for web-based collaboration and e-learning, and call centers.

Key trade shows, conferences and publications include:

•: AIIM, the largest U.S. trade show focused on document management and enterprise content management;
•: On Demand Digital Printing & Publishing Conference and Expo, which we believe is one of the largest trade shows and conferences for the digital print and publishing market;
•: Incoming Call Center Management Conference & Exhibition and Call Center Conference & Exhibition, trade shows and conferences for call center managers focused on management tools and technology in the call center market;
•: Telexpo, which we believe is one of the largest telecom trade shows and conferences in Latin America, held in São Paulo with over 45,000 attendees and 230 exhibitors;
•: Frontline Solution Magazine and FLS Supply Chain Week Expo, for the automatic data capture, identification, tracking systems and supply chain integration market;
•: Sensors, a U.S. magazine for engineers focused on the expanding use of sensors in industrial and consumer products, and Sensors Expos, which we believe is one of the leading trade shows serving the sensors market; and
•: a global grouping of telecom magazines, including America's Network, Telecom Asia, Wireless Asia, and RNT(Brazil).

The following table sets forth information relating to trade shows, conferences and magazines in our Information Technology & Communications cluster in the year ended December 31, 2004:

Information Technology & Communications Events and Magazines

	Exhibitions		Conferences	Magazines(1)
Sector	Number	2004 Net Square Footage	Number	Number	2004 Ad Pages	Number of our magazines ranked #1 or #2(2)
Call Center/CRM	3	42,100	10	—	—	N/A
Information Technology	5	211,600	2	5	1,139	1 of 4
Telecommunications	1	162,067	2	7	559	3 of 4

(1): Excludes directories.
(2): Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Travel & Hospitality

We served the travel and hospitality sector through two trade shows, one conference, five publications, one electronic magazine, and several custom published products in the year ended December 31, 2004.

Selected publications and tradeshows include:

•: Travel Agent, the #1 trade periodical for the travel industry;
•: Hotel & Motel Management, the #1 publication for the hospitality management market;
•: Premier Hotels and Resorts, the #1 directory of 4 and 5 star hotel and resort properties; and
•: Luxury Travel Expo and Luxury Travel Expo New York, the only events dedicated to the affluent luxury travel market. These events are designed to bring "carriage trade" travel agents in touch with high quality travel demonstrations, properties and services.

The following table sets forth information relating to trade shows, conferences and magazines in our Travel & Hospitality cluster in the year ended December 31, 2004:

Travel & Hospitality Events and Magazines

	Exhibitions		Conferences	Magazines(1)
Sector	Number	2004 Net Square Footage	Number	Number	2004 Ad Pages	Number of our magazines ranked #1 or #2(2)
Travel	2	103,500	—	5	3,772	2 of 3
Hospitality	—	N/A	1	1	1,002	1 of 1

(1): Excludes directories.
(2): Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Portfolio

We group the balance of our products and services into a Portfolio group charged with maximizing revenue and cash flow opportunities from these disparate properties. The Portfolio cluster addresses market sectors in which we provide selected products and services but do not have a significant

presence. Markets currently served include energy, geospatial, landscaping/pest control, mining, paper and roofing sectors. We deliver our B-to-B marketing communications products and services to our customers in these industry sectors through 11 publications.

The following table sets forth information relating to magazines in our Portfolio cluster in the year ended December 31, 2004:

Portfolio Magazines

	Magazines(1)
Sector	Number	2004 Ad Pages	Number of our magazines ranked #1 or #2 (2)
Energy	1	410	1 of 1
GeoSpatial	3	441	1 of 2
Landscape / Pest Control	3	2,134	3 of 3
Mining	1	520	1 of 1
Paper	2	841	2 of 2
Roofing	1	394	1 of 1

(2): Excludes directories.
(3): Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Company Operations

Trade Shows and Conferences

Our business is seasonal, with revenue typically reaching its highest levels during the first and third quarters of each calendar year, largely due to the timing of the MAGIC trade shows and our other large trade shows and conferences. Because event revenue is recognized when a particular event is held, we may also experience fluctuations in quarterly revenue based on the movement of trade show dates from one quarter to another.

The sales cycle for a future trade show typically begins during the current show. Pricing information, preliminary floor plans and exhibitor promotion for the future show are made available at the current show so that selling for the future show can begin at the current show. Typically, this "upfront" selling includes floor space reservations with exhibitors executing a contract for the future show. At some of our trade shows, reservations for a large portion of exhibit space for the next event is reserved by the end of the current event. The sales cycle continues with selling to new exhibitors and collecting the balance of payments due. In general, we require exhibitor payments in full prior to a trade show as a condition to participation.

In addition to the sale of exhibit space, we market to exhibitors a wide range of promotional opportunities to raise their visibility at an event. These opportunities include directory and preview advertising, banners, sponsorships of various functions and a wide variety of other products or services. We also produce related conferences and workshops, which represent the editorial content for an event and can play a strategic role in trade show development. Conferences, workshops and other ancillary forums stimulate interest in the industry and drive attendance at the trade show. While show attendance is typically free for qualified attendees, participation in conferences at these shows can be a significant revenue source.

Event promotion is primarily undertaken through direct mail, trade advertising and direct contact. In those industry sectors for which we also have complementary publications, our publications play a

key role in event promotion by providing lists from circulation files and editorial coverage for the upcoming show. Other industry magazines may also be involved, as the goal of any event is to represent the entire industry or market. The "show issue" of an industry magazine for a related event is often the biggest issue of the year, as the advertisers want to reinforce their show presence.

In operating trade shows and conferences, we function in a capacity similar to a general contractor. We select and manage venues, hotels, and vendors for set-up, registration, travel and housing, audio-visual services and other services. In many cases, venue and hotel reservations are made several years in advance, particularly for primary markets such as New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. While the production of a show may involve hundreds of workers, most workers are employees of our subcontractor vendors.

Trade Publications

We operate an efficient publishing infrastructure in the United States and Europe. Our publications generally follow the controlled circulation model and are distributed free-of-charge to qualified recipients. We build readership and maintain the quality and quantity of our circulation based on delivering high quality, professional coverage of relevant industry information. Because we offer our advertisers access to a highly-targeted, industry-specific subscriber base with potential buying influence, our advertisers place their ads in our publications to reach their customers. Most of our magazines are published monthly, although some titles are published weekly or semi-monthly.

We attract readership and improve the effectiveness of our advertising by maintaining and continuously improving the quality of the editorial content of our publications. Recipients of our publications are targeted through market research designed to determine the market coverage and purchasing authority desired by prospective advertisers. Based on existing and acquired mail lists, the targeted recipient is then solicited through promotions offering free subscriptions to the relevant publications. High-quality circulation is achieved when a high percentage of the circulation list is recently qualified, within one or two years, and the publication is delivered at the direct request of the recipient. Recipients are qualified and re-qualified on a regular basis through qualification cards included in the publication, various direct mail methods and the Internet.

Our advertising sales and editorial functions are dispersed throughout North America, Asia, Europe and Brazil. Advertising sales are predominantly conducted by our dedicated sales force. Editorial content for our publications is either staff-written, contributed or purchased from freelance writers and industry or professional participants in selected markets.

Our advertising materials and editorial content are integrated in our Duluth, Minnesota and Chester, England production facilities, where layout, ad insertion and output to film is completed. All printing is outsourced to vendors in various regions, but printing contracts are negotiated and managed centrally. We purchase paper centrally through a relationship with one of the industry's largest paper brokers. Paper is shipped directly from the mills to the printers at our request. We maintain our own central U.S. fulfillment operation in Duluth to generate mailing labels and mailing instructions for the printers. Our production workforce is highly experienced and is based in relatively low-cost locations in Duluth and Chester.

Internet

Our affiliate, Advanstar.com, uses Internet based products and services to complement our delivery of trade show, publishing and direct marketing and other products to our customers. We also use the Internet as a cost-effective method of developing qualifying magazine circulation and to register trade show and conference attendees. We expect to merge the operations of Advanstar.com with our operations in 2005.

Diverse Customer Base

Our customer base has provided us with stable and diverse sources of revenue and cash flow as well as an established foundation from which to further penetrate existing markets and to develop new markets. We benefit from:

•: A high level of revenue diversification, primarily as a result of our business presence in 18 different industry sectors consisting of over 22,000 advertisers and exhibitors, none of which represented more than 3% of our revenues in 2004. This industry diversity helps to mitigate our exposure to economic volatility in particular industries or geographic markets;
•: A strong balance of revenue, with 40% of our revenues coming from trade shows, 55% from publishing and 5% from direct marketing products and other in 2004; and
•: Modest exposure to currency fluctuations with approximately 4% of our revenues generated from international markets in 2004.

Competition

The markets for our products and services are intensely competitive. The competition is highly fragmented by product and/or service offering and by geography. On a global level, larger international firms operate in many geographic markets and have broad product offerings in trade shows, conferences, publications and direct marketing products and other. In several industries, such as information technology and healthcare, we compete with large firms with a single-industry focus. Many of these large international and single-industry firms are better capitalized than we are and have substantially greater financial and other resources than we have.

Within each particular industry sector, we also compete with a large number of small to medium-sized firms. While most small to medium-sized firms operate in a single geographic market or industry sector, in some cases, our competitors operate in several geographic markets and/or sectors. In the trade show and conference segment, we compete with trade associations and, in several international markets, with exposition hall owners and operators. Trade show and conference competition in each market and country occurs on many levels. The venues and dates of trade shows play an important competitive role. Historically, successful shows have been held at desirable locations and on desirable dates. Given the availability of alternative venues and the ability to define events for particular market segments, the range of competition for exhibitor dollars, sponsorships, attendees and conferees is extensive. In the publications segment, we typically have between two and five direct competitors, which target the same industry sector, and there are also numerous indirect competitors, which define industries differently than we do and thus provide alternatives for either readers or advertisers.

Intellectual Property

We have developed strong brand awareness for our principal products and services. Accordingly, we consider our trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets and similar intellectual property important to our success, and we rely on trademark, service mark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as licensing and confidentiality agreements, to protect our intellectual property rights. We generally register our material trademarks and service marks in the United States and in certain other key countries in which these trademarks and service marks are used. Trademarks and service marks registered in the United States typically require periodic renewals, and we typically obtain these renewals as a routine matter so long as the applicable trademark and service marks are in use. Effective trademark, service mark and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our products and services are available.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various foreign, federal, state and local environmental protection and health and safety laws and regulations. Accordingly, we incur and will continue to incur some costs to comply with these laws and regulations. We own or lease real property, and some environmental laws hold current or previous owners or operators of businesses and real property liable for contamination on, under, or from that property, even if they did not know of and were not responsible for the contamination. In addition, some environmental laws hold companies liable for the cleanup of landfills or other sites to which they may have sent waste. Based on available information, we do not believe we are responsible or liable for any such environmental contamination and we do not currently anticipate that the costs of complying with environmental laws and regulations will materially adversely affect us. However, we cannot ensure that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in the future, due to the discovery of new facts or conditions, releases of hazardous materials, or a change in environmental laws and regulations.

Employees

As of December 31, 2004, we had approximately 1,400 full-time equivalent employees. Of these full-time employees, approximately 110 employees were located in Europe, Brazil and Asia with the balance based in the United States. None of our U.S. employees are represented by a labor union. We consider our relationships with our employees to be good.

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

Financial information relating to our operations by geographic area is set forth in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Item 2.—PROPERTIES

Properties

We have executive, marketing, sales and editorial offices in several cities in the United States, including Newton and Concord, Massachusetts; Chicago and Northfield, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Iselin and Montvale, New Jersey; Peterborough, New Hampshire; Milford, Connecticut; New York City, New York; Santa Ana and Woodland Hills, California; and Lenexa, Kansas. In addition, we have offices in São Paulo, Brazil; Hong Kong, China; and Chester and London, United Kingdom. Our finance, trade show registration, call center, circulation, fulfillment, production and other necessary operational support facilities in the United States are located in Duluth, Minnesota.

We generally lease our offices from third parties. However, we own our offices in Duluth and Cleveland although we have granted mortgages on the Cleveland property to the lenders under our credit facility and, on a second priority basis, for the benefit of the holders of the second priority senior secured notes. We believe that our properties are in good operating condition and that suitable additional or alternative space will be available on commercially reasonable terms for future expansion.

Item 3.—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not a party to any legal proceedings other than ordinary course, routine litigation, which is not material to our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4.—SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

PART II

Item 5.—MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

There is no established public trading market for the registrant's common equity.

Item 6.—SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for Advanstar and its predecessor for each of the periods indicated. The selected historical consolidated financial data for Advanstar's predecessor for the period January 1, 2000 through October 11, 2000 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the predecessor for those periods, which are not included herein. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the selected historical consolidated financial data for Advanstar for the period October 12, 2000 through December 31, 2000 and for the year ended December 31, 2001 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto of Advanstar which are not included herein. The selected consolidated financial data for Advanstar for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 have been derived from Advanstar's audited financial statements and the notes thereto included herein. The combined financial data for the combined year ended December 31, 2000 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the predecessor and Advanstar but has not been audited and does not comply with generally accepted accounting principles. The selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

		Advanstar																		Predecessor
		2004			2003			Year Ended December 31, 2002			2001			Combined 2000			For the period from October 12, 2000 through December 31, 2000			For the period from January 1, 2000 through October 11, 2000
														(unaudited)
		(dollars in thousands)
Income Statement Data:
Revenue		$	378,054		$	306,764		$	289,615		$	325,425		$	357,410		$	61,494		$	295,916
Cost of production and selling			238,770			190,268			175,344			206,326			226,837			47,348			179,489
General and administrative expenses			43,896			33,382			33,058			34,977			40,615			7,698			32,917
Stock option compensation (benefit)(1)			—			—			—			—			(2,485	)		—			(2,485	)
Restructuring charge(2)			—			2,692			—			—			—			—			—
Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations			3,283			1,121			39,587			—			—			—			—
Depreciation and amortization(3)			49,705			55,144			67,023			91,314			53,827			15,319			38,508

Operating income (loss)			42,400			24,157			(25,397	)		(7,192	)		38,616			(8,871	)		47,487
Other income (expense):
	Interest expense		(70,103	)		(57,849	)		(51,047	)		(55,151	)		(51,515	)		(13,592	)		(37,923	)
	Write-off of deferred financing costs		—			(11,324	)		—			(4,038	)		—			—			—
	Other income (expense), net		799			165			2,931			788			(1,994	)		215			(2,209	)

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and cumulative effect of accounting change			(26,904	)		(44,851	)		(73,513	)		(65,593	)		(14,893	)		(22,248	)		7,355
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			13,954			4,283			(16,260	)		(14,512	)		4,624			(4,983	)		9,607
Minority interests			(562	)		(403	)		(176	)		136			(180	)		125			(305	)

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change			(41,420	)		(49,537	)		(57,429	)		(50,945	)		(19,697	)		(17,140	)		(2,557	)

(Loss) income from operations of discontinued business			(9,743	)		89			(93	)		1,735			1,162			(905	)		2,067

Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change			(51,163	)		(49,448	)		(57,522	)		(49,210	)		(18,535	)		(18,045	)		(490	)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax and minority interests			—			—			(66,817	)		(552	)		—			—			—

Net loss		$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(124,339	)	$	(49,762	)	$	(18,535	)	$	(18,045	)	$	(490	)

Cash flows provided by (used in):
	Operating activities	$	18,286		$	45,848		$	24,275		$	41,813		$	36,273		$	(3,675	)	$	39,948
	Investing activities		5,602			(145,333	)		(31,155	)		(41,733	)		(51,945	)		(22,395	)		(29,550	)
	Financing activities		(12,515	)		110,236			(15,388	)		24,774			(17,978	)		—			(17,978	)
Balance sheet data (at end of period):
Cash and cash equivalents		$	41,223		$	29,274		$	18,930		$	44,636					$	17,675
Working capital(4)			(70,804	)		(78,351	)		(69,536	)		(79,498	)					(62,568	)
Total assets			912,937			986,590			866,026			1,000,779						1,028,377
Total debt			614,219			626,069			557,700			570,000						565,000
Total stockholder's equity			160,865			209,296			186,153			276,386						335,461
Other Data:
Capital expenditures		$	8,981		$	7,608		$	7,216		$	7,935		$	11,882
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(5)			—			—			—			—			—			—			1.2

(1): We account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method. As a result, for options that do not have fixed terms, we measure compensation cost as the difference between the exercise price of the options and the fair value of the shares underlying the options at the end of the period. Our results for the period January 1, 2000 through October 11, 2000 were favorably impacted by compensation benefits due to a decrease in the fair value of the shares underlying the options. We no longer maintain the variable plan that resulted in compensation cost (benefit) and under our current plan we only issue options with fixed terms. Therefore, we no longer expect to recognize compensation expense or benefit in future periods unless changes in GAAP require otherwise.
(2): In September 2003, we consolidated our midtown New York leased office space from two floors to one and sublet the excess space. These actions resulted in a third quarter 2003 restructuring charge of approximately $2.1 million. In December 2003, we consolidated our Chester, U.K. leased office space and vacated two of our four floors, resulting in a fourth quarter 2003 charge of approximately $0.6 million. These activities included a charge for the present value of future rental payments, net of sublease income, of $2.3 million, and other relocation costs and expenses of $0.4 million. We will continue to pay facility lease costs, net of sublease income, associated with the previously used facilities through August 2015.
(3): Upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," we discontinued the amortization of goodwill beginning January 1, 2002. The following table reflects a reconciliation of loss from continuing operations adjusted for the exclusion of goodwill amortization, net of tax:

	2004			2003			Year Ended December 31, 2002			2001			Combined 2000			For the period from October 12, 2000 through December 2000			For the period from January 1, 2000 through October 11, 2000
													(unaudited)
	(dollars in thousands)
Reported lossbefore cumulative effect of accounting change	$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(57,522	)	$	(49,210	)	$	(18,535	)	$	(18,045	)	$	(490	)
Add: goodwill amortization, net of tax		—			—			—			22,738			22,758			7,308			15,450

Adjusted (loss) income before cumulative effect of accounting change	$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(57,522	)	$	(26,472	)	$	4,223		$	(10,737	)	$	14,960

Reported net loss	$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(124,339	)	$	(49,762	)	$	(18,535	)	$	(18,045	)	$	(490	)
Add: goodwill amortization, net of tax		—			—			—			22,738			22,758			7,308			15,450

Adjusted net (loss) income	$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(124,339	)	$	(27,024	)	$	4,223		$	(10,737	)	$	14,960

(4): Working capital is defined as current assets, excluding cash, of $48.7 million, $35.9 million, $34.0 million, $46.8 million, and $38.2 million in each period ending December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of long-term debt, of approximately $111.3 million, $115.4 million, $103.5 million, $125.2 million and $109.0 million in each period ending December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
(5): For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as pretax income from continuing operations plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and one-third of rental expense, which is considered by management to be representative of the interest component of rental expense. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 by $14.7 million, $65.5 million, $73.7 million, $45.3 million and $27.5 million, respectively.

Item 7—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to those statements, included elsewhere in this annual report.

This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which are neither promises nor guarantees and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Certain Factors Which May Affect Future Results."

Overview

We are a worldwide provider of integrated B-to-B marketing communications products and services for targeted industry sectors, principally through trade shows and conferences and through controlled circulation trade, business and professional magazines. We also provide a broad range of

other direct marketing products, including classified advertising, direct mail services, reprints, database marketing, guides, and reference books.

We report our business in three segments:

•: trade shows and conferences, which consists primarily of the management of trade shows and seminars held in convention and conference centers;
•: trade publications, which consists primarily of the creation and distribution of controlled circulation trade, business and professional magazines; and
•: direct marketing products and other, which consists primarily of sales of a variety of direct mail and database products, magazine editorial reprints, and classified advertising.

Trade shows and conferences accounted for approximately 40%, 46% and 50% of total revenue in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Trade publications accounted for approximately 55%, 48% and 44% of total revenue in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, while direct marketing products and other accounted for approximately 5%, 6% and 6% of total revenue in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Publication revenue has increased as a percentage of total revenue in 2004 primarily as a result of our acquisition of a group of certain healthcare publications in October 2003. Our revenue reaches its highest levels during the first and third quarters of each year due to the timing of our MAGIC trade shows and our other large trade shows and conferences. Because trade show and conference revenues are recognized when a particular event is held, we may experience fluctuations in quarterly revenue based on the movement of trade show dates from one quarter to another.

Trends and Developments

The level of marketing and advertising spending remains variable across the eighteen industry sectors served by our trade shows and publications.

Our trade shows and conferences continued to perform well in 2004. Our MAGIC, License and Home Entertainment events posted gains in square footage and revenue over 2003. Our Powersports motorcycle events also increased revenue significantly over last year. Our trade shows serving technology markets continue to struggle but our revenues from Sensors event in the system design and engineering markets began to stabilize after three years of declines. We were encouraged by the attendee activity and exhibitor interest in our AIIM and On Demand expos serving the digital information and document management markets. Our recently acquired IVT conferences, which address FDA validation and compliance issues for the pharmaceutical industry, have performed better than our expectations.

The primary driver of the growth of our publishing segment in 2004 came from the acquisition of the healthcare properties from Thomson. Our legacy healthcare and pharmaceutical publications continued to do well in 2004. Our healthcare publications we recently acquired from Thomson are now a part of a fully integrated healthcare group organized by primary care, specialty care, promotional special projects and CME Special projects. Trade advertising across our other market sectors grew in 2004 over 2003 with the exception of our technology and travel sectors, which continue to struggle.

We have identified new opportunities and initiatives that we will be pursuing in 2005, including opportunities to expand customer relationships and our market position in our MAGIC events and the development of a stand alone Continuing Media Education business and other diversified customer offerings in our healthcare sector. We are also investing in a significant new product development initiative in our Powersports group with the launch of two new publications and tradeshows in the dirt sports and off-road truck markets.

Presentation of Financial Information

Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Divestitures

Between May 31, 1996 and December 31, 2004, we completed 38 acquisitions and joint ventures, four of which were completed in 2002, one in 2003 and one in 2004.

•: On March 8, 2004, we purchased a portfolio of pharmaceutical industry specific magazines and conferences from the Institute of Validation Technology, Inc. ("IVT") for $7.9 million in cash. In addition, we will pay additional contingent cash consideration based upon 2004 and 2005 operating results generated from the acquired assets. Operating results for 2004 include $1.5 million in compensation expense to reflect the accrual of the 2004 component of the expected contingent payment.
•: On October 1, 2003, we purchased a portfolio of healthcare industry magazines and related custom services projects from The Thomson Corporation and its subsidiaries for $136.5 million in cash (including $1 million of related fees and expenses) ("the Thompson acquisition").
•: From January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, we completed the acquisitions of AIIM International Exposition and Conference, HT-the Magazine for Healthcare Travel Professionals and several smaller publications for a cumulative purchase price of $24.0 million in cash.

We have accounted for our acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, our results of operations include the effect of these acquisitions from the date of purchase.

On December 31, 2003, we sold a portfolio of automotive and technology industry trade shows and magazines operated by our U.K. subsidiary for a total sales price of $2.2 million in cash. Total revenue and contribution margin for these properties in 2003 was $5.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2004, we sold our portfolio of art industry trade shows and magazines for a total sales price of $19.6 million in cash ("Art Group"). In total, the portfolio included three trade shows, with 186,216 aggregate square feet in 2003, and two publications, with 944 aggregate advertising pages in 2003. Total revenue and contribution margin for the Art group in 2003 was $10.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2004, we sold our 65% ownership in our French joint venture ("SeCA"), which consisted of one trade show, for $3.1 million in cash. In conjunction with our sale of SeCA we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9.4 million, net of minority interest. Total revenue and contribution margin for SeCA, net of minority interest, in 2003 were $2.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2004, we sold our German trade show business ("DMS") for $1.7 million in cash. As a result of the sale of DMS we recorded a goodwill impairment of $6.2 million. Total revenue and contribution margin for 2003 were $2.0 million, and $0.5 million, respectively.

We will continue to explore the divestiture of certain assets as we focus our portfolio on areas we believe offer the best potential for growth.

Private Placement of Second Priority Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing of Credit Facility

In August 2003, we amended our Credit Facility to permit the issuance of $360.0 million of second priority senior secured notes and the use of the proceeds thereof, eliminate the leverage ratio covenant, amend certain other covenants contained in the Credit Facility and reduce the revolving loan commitments thereunder from $80 million to $60 million. We recorded an expense of $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2003 to reflect the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the term loans, which were repaid with the proceeds of the offering. Our interest expense and cash interest is higher as a result of this refinancing. In addition, we reclassified $1.8 million of deferred losses related to our interest rate collar and swap agreements previously reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income into other expenses in the third quarter of 2003.

In September 2003, we issued $70 million of second priority senior secured notes and used the net proceeds to repay approximately $12 million of outstanding borrowings under our revolving Credit Facility and to purchase short-term investments pending completion of the Thomson acquisition. On October 1, 2003, we used $136.5 million in cash, including $56 million of the net proceeds of the second priority senior secured notes to finance the Thomson acquisition.

Sources of Revenue

Trade Shows and Conferences

The trade shows and conferences segment derives revenue principally from the sale of exhibit space and conference attendance fees generated at our events. In 2004, approximately 77% of our trade shows and conferences revenue was from the sale of exhibit space. Events are generally held in major metropolitan or convention areas such as New York City and Las Vegas. At many of our trade shows, a portion of exhibit space is reserved as much as a year in advance. The sale of exhibit space is generally impacted by the ongoing quality and quantity of attendance, venue selection and availability, industry cycle and general market conditions. Revenue and related direct event expenses are recognized in the month in which the event is held. An event is billed and cash is collected in advance and is recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as deferred revenue until the event has been held.

Trade Publications

The trade publications segment derives revenue principally from the sale of advertising in our B-to-B magazines. Additionally, certain publications derive revenue from paid subscriptions and custom publishing and projects. Paid subscriptions comprise less than 3% of total publishing revenue. Most publications are produced monthly with advertising sold on either a scheduled or single insertion basis. The sale of advertising is generally impacted by new product releases, circulation quality, readership, and general market conditions. Advertising revenue is recognized on the publication issue date, and subscription revenue, if any, is recognized over the subscription period. Custom project contract

revenue with both conference and print elements are deferred and not recognized until all elements are delivered. Customer advances are recorded when cash is received in anticipation of future advertising unrelated to a specific publication issue.

Our publishing properties operate in many different markets and industries, which are subject to economic conditions prevalent in those industries. Accordingly, publishing revenues may fluctuate in connection with the markets in which we operate.

Direct Marketing Products and Other

The direct marketing products and other segment derives its revenue from the sale of value-added marketing products such as print and internet based classified advertising, direct mail services, reprints, database marketing, directories, guides and reference books. These products complement and utilize the content or databases generated by our trade shows, conferences and publications. The sale of these products is generally impacted by the success of the event or publication from which these products are derived, the quality of the sales team and general market conditions. Revenue is generally recognized when the applicable product is shipped or otherwise delivered.

Components of Expenses

Trade Shows and Conferences

Costs incurred by the trade shows and conferences segment include facility rent, attendee and exhibitor promotion and on-site services such as registration, security and set-up. Exhibitors generally contract directly with third parties for on-site services such as electrical services and booth set-up. Staff salaries and related payroll expenses are treated as monthly period expenses. All other direct costs are expensed when the event occurs.

Trade Publications

Costs incurred by the trade publications segment include printing, paper and postage; selling and promotion; editorial and prepress; and circulation acquisition and fulfillment. Additionally, publisher and sales staff costs, and production, editorial and circulation staff costs, with related payroll taxes and benefits, are charged to the publications segment. We outsource the actual printing of our publications. Printing, paper and postage costs are charged to operations at the time of publication issuance. All other direct costs are charged to operations when incurred.

Direct Marketing Products and Other

Costs of the direct marketing products and other segment include printing and distribution costs, database administration fees and selling and product development staff costs. All direct costs are expensed when incurred.

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to bad debts, recoverability of intangible assets and realizability of deferred income tax assets. We base these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about

the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We apply the following critical accounting policies in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized as discussed in the "—Sources of Revenue" section above. The balance of deferred revenue at December 31, 2004 was $42.1 million and $10.3 million for trade shows and trade publications, respectively. On a relative basis, our deferred revenue reaches its highest levels during the second and fourth quarters of the year largely due to the timing of the MAGIC trade shows and our other large trade shows and conferences.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The balance of the allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $0.8 million, each. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is an estimate based on specifically identified accounts as well as non-specific identification reserves. We evaluate specific accounts where we have information that the customer may have an inability to meet its financial obligations. In these cases, management uses judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, to determine if a specific reserve for that customer's receivable is warranted. These specific reserves are reevaluated and adjusted as additional information is received that impacts the amount reserved. We also establish a non-specific identification reserve for all customers based on historical percentages applied to customer balances depending on the age of the amount due. This percentage is based on historical collection and write-off experience and varies by geographic region. If circumstances change, our estimates of the recoverability of amounts due us could be reduced or increased by a material amount. Such a change in estimated recoverability would be accounted for in the period in which the facts that give rise to the change become known.

Deferred Taxes

Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS No. 109, we record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that we determine is more likely than not to be realized. At December 31, 2004, we have recorded a valuation allowance to offset the deferred tax benefit associated with all of our U.S. and foreign net operating loss carryforwards because the realization of these benefits is not considered likely based upon our history of not generating taxable income to utilize these tax benefits. We have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. In the event we were to subsequently determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in excess of our net recorded amount, a reduction in the valuation allowance would result in an income tax benefit and would increase net income or reduce net loss in the period such determination was made. In addition to the deferred tax assets, which are fully reserved, we have established a deferred tax liability based upon the excess of the carrying value of our goodwill for financial reporting purposes over the tax basis of this goodwill. We establish this liability because we do not amortize goodwill for financial reporting purposes but we do amortize goodwill for tax reporting purposes.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets related to trade exhibitor and advertiser lists are amortized using a double-declining balance method over 6 years and 5 years, respectively. Intangible assets related to tradenames and trademarks are amortized using a straight-line method over 20 years. Intangible assets related to subscriber lists and other intangible assets are amortized using a straight-line method over 3 to 10 years. We amortize intangible assets on a basis which corresponds to our projections of future cash flows directly related to these intangible assets. A change in circumstances could result in a determination that asset lives should be changed or that the related assets are impaired and impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets may be necessary. The effect of any changes in useful lives or a determination that the carrying value of an intangible asset is impaired would be accounted for in the period that such determination was made.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including identifiable intangibles, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value as measured by the associated discounted cash flows.

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, we evaluate goodwill for impairment using a two-step test based upon a fair value approach. The first step is used to identify a potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of the net assets of each reporting unit to an estimate of the fair value of each of our reporting units (as defined by SFAS No. 142), while the second step calculates the amount of impairment, if any. Additionally, goodwill will be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of an entity below its carrying value. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by application of a discounted cash flow analysis. If circumstances change, our estimates of fair value will also change and could result in a determination that additional impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of goodwill are necessary. We engaged an appraiser to assist us in completing the first step of our annual goodwill impairment test for each of our three reporting units as of July 1, 2004. Based on this first step test, there was no impairment of goodwill indicated.

Results of Operations

2004 COMPARED TO 2003

Revenue

Total revenue increased $71.3 million, or 23.2%, to $378.1 million in 2004 from $306.8 million in 2003.

Revenue from trade shows and conferences increased $9.4 million, or 6.6%, to $151.5 million in 2004 from $142.1 million in 2003. Our MAGIC event grew by more than 138,000 square feet or 8.4% over 2003 and revenue increased approximately 8.2% over last year. The MAGIC events were successfully combined into a single venue, the Las Vegas Convention Center, beginning with the August 2004 event. The concentration and proximity of the various fashion sectors contributed to increased attendance and exhibitor interest and participation in MAGIC. Powersports events' revenue increased approximately 14.7% over 2003 with the 15^th year of growth in our Dealer Expo, solid performance from the IMS Tour series of consumer events and the launch of a west coast event for the v-twin market segment. Revenue also increased approximately $7.3 million due to acquisitions of the Central Veterinary Conference in October 2003, and the IVT pharmaceutical conferences in March 2004. Strong performances also came from our trade shows serving the home entertainment,

licensing, and travel markets. Additionally, we launched six new events in the fashion, pharmaceutical, licensing, luxury travel, and technology sectors. The increase in revenues was partially offset by holding five fewer events in the beauty and technology markets in 2003, the sale of certain UK events in December 2003 and much weaker results from our east-coast fashion and technology events in 2003.

Revenue from publications increased $58.3 million, or 39.4%, to $206.1 million in 2004 from $147.9 million in 2003. Approximately $55.0 million, or 94%, of the increase is due to the acquisitions of healthcare properties from Thomson and pharmaceutical publications from IVT. Revenue growth also reflects strong results from Advanstar's specialty healthcare and pharmaceutical publications, DVM, Motor Age, Home Media Retailing (formerly Video Store Magazine), CADalyst, and American Spa, as well as the introduction of several new products. Revenue increases for the year were partially offset by weaker results from our travel publications and the sale of select UK publications. Advanstar's advertising pages increased 20.8% for the year, primarily due to the properties acquired from Thomson. Advertising pages increased 4.6% over 2003 for all publications other than those acquired or sold during 2003 or 2004.

Revenue from direct marketing products and other increased $3.6 million, or 21.3%, to $20.4 million in 2004 from $16.8 million in 2003 primarily due to higher levels of classified and recruitment advertising and strong list sales and reprints, primarily from the acquisition of properties from Thomson.

Cost of production and selling

Cost of production and selling expenses increased $48.5 million, or 25.5%, to $238.8 million in 2004 from $190.3 million in 2003.

Expenses of trade shows and conferences increased $2.9 million, or 3.9%, to $75.7 million in 2004 from $72.8 million in 2003. Expenses increased $6.5 million due to the acquired healthcare conferences, the IVT acquisition, and product launches. These increases were partially offset by holding fewer events in the beauty and technology markets and the sale of certain UK events in December 2003, as discussed above. There were no significant increases in venue pricing during the year.

Expenses of trade publications increased $44.1 million, or 43.0%, to $146.8 million in 2004 from $102.7 million in 2003. This increase is primarily attributable to additional costs of $41.6 million associated with our acquisition of the Thomson healthcare properties. The increase in expenses was partially offset by the cost savings from the sale of certain UK properties in December 2003. Printing prices increased slightly from 2003. We have indications that printing prices will increase 2% in 2005 and paper prices will increase approximately 14% in 2005 primarily in the first and third quarters. Postal rates are expected to be unchanged for 2005 but we anticipate cost increases will occur sometime in 2006.

Expenses of direct marketing products and other increased $0.3 million, or 3.1%, to $9.7 million in 2004 from $9.4 million in 2003 due to related growth in revenues.

Department and support costs of $6.6 million increased $1.2 million from 2003 due to higher departmental production staff costs related to support of the publications acquired from Thomson and additional staff related to the launches of publications serving the powersports market.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $10.5 million, or 31.5%, to $43.9 million in 2004 from $33.4 million in 2003. The increase reflects higher administrative costs relating to the acquisition of properties from Thomson and related investments in the management team in the healthcare group, as well as a $1.5 million employee compensation payment related to the IVT acquisition, increased

employee healthcare costs, expenses relating to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and implementation and consulting costs related to strategic management and marketing initiatives.

Restructuring charge

In September 2003, we consolidated our midtown New York leased office space from two floors to one and sublet the excess space. These actions resulted in a third quarter 2003 restructuring charge of approximately $2.1 million. In December 2003, we consolidated our Chester, U.K. leased office space and vacated two of our four floors, resulting in a fourth quarter 2003 charge of approximately $0.6 million. These activities included a charge for the present value of future rental payments, net of sublease income, of $2.3 million, and other relocation costs and expenses of $0.4 million. We will continue to pay facility lease costs, net of sublease income, associated with the previously used facilities through August 2015.

Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations

Advanstar.com, Inc. ("Advanstar.com"), an affiliate of ours, operates our event and publication-related web sites and develops certain enhanced web opportunities to serve our customers in selected industries. We provide Advanstar.com with certain administrative support services and charge for these services based on a general overhead charge. In addition, we share selected sales, editorial, marketing and production staff with Advanstar.com. We also provide Advanstar.com with marketing and promotional support through advertising pages in our trade publications and exhibit space in our trade shows. In return, Advanstar.com provides us with support on its web sites for trade publications and trade shows. We expect to merge the operations of Advanstar.com with our operations in 2005.

Expenses associated with our funding of Advanstar.com increased $2.2 million in 2004 to $3.3 million from $1.1 million in 2003. In the second quarter of 2004, we provided $1.9 million in cash to Advanstar.com to allow them to buy out their outstanding New York lease obligation. The buyout saved approximately $5.0 million in future lease payments through June 2010.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense declined approximately $5.4 million to $49.7 million in 2004 from $55.1 million in 2003 primarily due to the effect of the double declining balance method of accelerated amortization on our exhibitor and advertiser lists partially offset by additional amortization expense related to the assets acquired in the acquisitions of the healthcare properties from Thomson and the pharmaceutical publications from IVT.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased $12.3 million, or 21.2%, to $70.1 million in 2004 from $57.8 million in 2003 due to an increase in our weighted-average debt outstanding of approximately $46.1 million as a result of our issuance of $360 million of Senior Secured Notes in August 2003 and $70 million Senior Secured Notes in September 2003. The increase was offset by a decrease in our debt outstanding under the Credit Facility due to the repayment, in August 2003 of all but $25 million of the outstanding term B loans and a portion of our revolving credit borrowings under our Credit Facility. See "Presentation of Financial Information—Private Placement of Second Priority Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing of Credit Facility."

At December 31, 2004, approximately $460.0 million, or 75.0% of our total debt is at a fixed rate with the balance of our debt subject to interest rate fluctuations. A 100 basis point increase in interest rates on our current variable rate debt would result in an increase in annual interest expense of $1.5 million. We previously entered into an interest rate collar agreement to hedge our interest rate risk on these variable rate borrowings. The agreement expired in February 2004 and we currently have

no plans to renew this interest rate collar agreement or otherwise hedge our interest expense related to our remaining floating rate debt.

Write-off of deferred financing costs

We recorded an expense of $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2003 to reflect the write-off of deferred financing costs related to the term loans which were repaid with the proceeds of the August senior secured notes offering and the reduction in the revolving loan commitment. See "Presentation of Financial Information-Private Placement of Second Priority Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing of Credit Facility."

Other income (expense), net

Other income increased $0.6 million to $0.8 million in 2004 from $0.2 million in 2003. This increase is attributable to gains associated with our interest rate protection agreement, which expired in February 2004, and foreign currency translation gains.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

The provision for income taxes was $14.0 million in 2004 compared to $4.3 million in 2003. The 2004 and 2003 provision is related to a basis difference resulting from goodwill for tax purposes being less than the carrying value of goodwill for financial reporting purposes and income taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions. We recorded no income tax benefit related to the net operating losses we generated during 2004 and 2003 because we have established a valuation allowance to offset any related tax benefits, due to uncertainty about realization of these benefits.

Discontinued operations

In conjunction with the sale of the Art Group in the first quarter of 2004, we recorded a gain on the sale of $1.0 million plus a tax benefit of $2.4 million. The Art Group generated $4.4 million of income before income taxes for the period from January 1, 2004 to March 12, 2004 and $2.1 million in 2003.

In the second quarter of 2004, in conjunction with our sale of SeCA we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9.4 million. SeCA generated an $8.7 million loss before income taxes, net of minority interest, in 2004 and income of $0.4 million in 2003.

In the third quarter of 2004, as a result of the sale of DMS we recorded goodwill impairment as a component of discontinued operations of $6.2 million. DMS generated a loss before income taxes of $7.6 million in 2004, and income of $0.1 million in 2003.

See further information regarding discontinued operations of the Art Group, SeCA and DMS in "—Presentation of Financial Information—Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Divestitures".

2003 COMPARED TO 2002

Revenue

Total revenue increased $17.1 million, or 5.9%, to $306.8 million in 2003 from $289.6 million in 2002.

Revenue from trade shows and conferences declined $3.9 million, or 2.7%, to $142.1 million in 2003 from $146.0 million in 2002. Total trade shows square footage of 4.5 million square feet declined approximately 6.2% from 2002 while price per square foot increased 1.9%. The decline in revenue was attributable primarily to the performance of our events in the technology sector. Revenue from our events serving the technology sector declined $10.5 million, or 26.5%, from 2002, including the

discontinuation of seven events held in 2002. Technology events made up approximately 14% of our total square footage and 14% of total trade show revenue in 2003. Total trade show square footage for non-technology events was essentially flat, declining 1.1%, while revenue increased 5.4% in 2003 over 2002. Revenue for our MAGIC events increased approximately 4.2% over 2002. Strong performances also came from our trade shows serving the beauty, home entertainment, licensing, travel and powersports markets.

Revenue from publications increased $20.5 million, or 16.1%, to $147.9 million in 2003 from $127.4 million in 2002. The acquisitions of the Thomson healthcare publications in October of 2003 and Healthcare Traveler in October of 2002 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $23.8 million between 2002 and 2003. Publications in a wide cross section of our markets continued their solid recovery from the declines experienced in 2002, particularly those serving the beauty, healthcare, home entertainment, licensing, pharmaceutical, science, golf/landscape, veterinary and automotive markets. Revenue from technology and travel publications declined $10.3 million, or 26%, from 2002 as advertising pages continued to decline in these markets.

Revenue from direct marketing products and other increased $0.6 million, or 3.5%, to $16.8 million in 2003 from $16.3 million in 2002 primarily due to strong list sales.

Cost of production and selling

Cost of production and selling expenses increased $14.9 million, or 8.5%, to $190.3 million in 2003 from $175.3 million in 2002.

Expenses of trade shows and conferences increased $3.3 million, or 4.7%, to $72.8 million in 2003 from $69.6 million in 2002. This increase is primarily due to the impact of a $2.8 million insurance recovery received in the last half of 2002 and reported as a reduction of our 2002 costs, and a $1.8 million fourth quarter charge in 2003 related to our decision to cancel certain venue space arrangements. We also invested in additional development staff and show programs for our MAGIC events to expand our product categories and continue to build the attendee base. These increases were partially offset by cost savings associated with canceling certain events in 2003.

Expenses of trade publications increased $10.8 million, or 11.8%, to $102.7 million in 2003 from $91.8 million in 2002. This increase is attributable to additional costs of $14.1 million associated with our acquisition of the Thomson healthcare properties in October 2003 and of Healthcare Traveler, in October 2002. The increased operating costs were partially offset by reductions in sales, editorial and circulation costs across our publications attributable to efforts to improve processes and monitor cost structures and activity levels. Printing prices remained flat in 2003. Postage costs increased in 2003 due to a 15% average increase in postage rates implemented in June 2002. Postal rates remained unchanged throughout the balance of 2002 and 2003. Paper prices increased on average 3% to 5% at the end of both the first and third quarters of 2003. Our overall paper costs decreased as we aggressively manage our inventories, folio sizes and paper stock in an effort to minimize the impact of paper price fluctuations.

Expenses of direct marketing products and other increased $0.3 million, or 2.9%, to $9.4 million in 2003 from $9.1 million in 2002 consistent with increase in related revenues.

Department and support costs of $5.4 million increased $0.6 million from 2002 due to increased departmental production staff related to the acquisition of properties from Thomson.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million, or 1.0%, to $33.4 million in 2003 from $33.1 million in 2002. The increase is due to staffing and occupancy costs related to the acquisition of properties from Thomson, and was offset by a decline due to cost savings as a result of lower bad debt expense and a reduction in credit card processing fees.

Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations

In 2002 we began recording the advances and notes issued to Advanstar.com during the current year as an operating expense in our consolidated statement of operations, to reflect the ongoing nature of the operations of Advanstar.com in support of our operations. Net advances and notes charged to our operations in 2003 were reduced $1.3 million from $2.4 million in 2002 to $1.1 million in 2003. As a result of the reorganization and redirection of the activities of Advanstar.com during 2001, there was a significant reduction in the levels of funding by us to Advanstar.com during 2002 and continuing into 2003. In the first quarter of 2002, we recorded a first quarter non-cash charge of $37.2 million related to a provision against the outstanding advances and notes due to us from Advanstar.com as of December 31, 2001.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense declined approximately $11.9 million to $55.1 million in 2003 from $67.0 million in 2002 primarily due to the effect of the double declining balance method of accelerated amortization on our exhibitor and advertiser lists partially offset by an additional $6.2 million of amortization expense related to the assets acquired in our October 2003 acquisition of the Thomson publications.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased $6.8 million, or 13.3%, to $57.8 million in 2003 from $51.0 million in 2002 due to an increase in our weighted-average debt outstanding of approximately $10.5 million and an increase in our weighted average interest rate of approximately 100 basis points as a result of our financings discussed at "Presentation of Financial Information-Private Placement of Second Priority Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing of Credit Facility."

Other income (expense), net

Other income declined $2.8 million to $0.2 million in 2003 from $2.9 million in 2002. We recorded foreign exchange losses of $0.3 million in 2003 resulting primarily from the strengthening of the Brazilian Real against the U.S. dollar compared to foreign exchange gains of $1.8 million recorded in 2002 as the Brazilian Real weakened against the U.S. dollar. We also recorded a $0.6 million loss on the sale of certain of our U.K. publishing and trade show assets in 2003. These declines were partially offset by a $0.5 million increase in non-cash gains related to our interest rate hedging activities.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

The provision for income taxes was $4.3 million in 2003 compared to an income tax benefit of $16.3 million in 2002. The 2003 provision is related to a basis difference resulting from goodwill for tax

purposes being less than the carrying value of goodwill for financial reporting purposes. We recorded no income tax benefit related to the net operating losses we generated during 2003 because we have established a valuation allowance to offset any related tax benefits, due to uncertainty about realization of these benefits. Our tax benefit in 2002 was recorded at a rate less than the applicable statutory rates primarily because we recorded a valuation allowance to offset the portion of the benefits associated with net operating losses we generated in 2002, for which realization was not likely.

Cumulative effect of accounting change

In the first quarter of 2002, in connection with the adoption of SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $66.8 million, net of minority interest effect of $4.1 million, attributable to an impairment of the carrying value of goodwill in our tradeshow operating segment which management believes resulted from a slowdown in the economy and its associated impact on the tradeshow business in general, and on our technology events in particular. The net charge of $66.8 million was reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. There was no income tax effect associated with this impairment charge.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity have been, and are expected to be, cash flow from operations and borrowings under our credit facility. Our principal uses of cash have been, and are expected to be, the debt service requirements of our indebtedness described below, capital expenditures, investments in our publications and trade shows and strategic acquisitions.

Sources and uses of funds

We generally operate with negative working capital, excluding cash and current maturities of long-term debt, due to the impact of deferred revenue from trade shows, which is billed and collected as deposits up to one year in advance of the respective trade show. Consequently, our existing operations are expected to maintain very low or negative working capital balances, excluding cash and current maturities of long-term debt.

On a relative basis, our revenue reaches its highest levels during the first and third quarters of the year largely due to the timing of the MAGIC trade shows and our other large trade shows and conferences. This seasonality, when combined with the shift in the timing of when events take place from year to year, may have a significant effect on our quarterly deferred revenue and working capital balances.

We anticipate that our operating cash flow, together with borrowings under the credit facility (assuming continued compliance with the covenants contained therein or a modification thereof) and other future financings and refinancings, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated future operating expenses, capital expenditures and debt service and other obligations as they become due. However, our ability to make scheduled payments of principal, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness and to satisfy our other debt obligations will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors beyond our control. We expect to be in compliance with our debt covenants during 2005.

Historically, our financing requirements have been funded primarily through cash generated by operating activities and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. From time to time, we have also raised additional funds through sales of common stock, high yield offerings and term borrowings under our credit facility for purposes of completing strategic acquisitions.

Operating cash flows may be significantly affected by the working capital characteristics of our business, in particular the trade shows and conferences business. Deferred revenue increases on the balance sheet in the quarters immediately preceding our busy first quarter trade show season as we collect deposits for booth space several months in advance of the trade shows. Revenue and contribution margin are recognized in the quarter as the events are held, releasing the deferred revenue from the balance sheet, which results in a reduction to our operating cash flow.

Cash flows from operating activities

Net cash provided by operations decreased $27.6 million to $18.3 million in 2004 compared to $45.9 million in 2003. This decline was principally due to an increase in interest expense of $16.1 million and a reduction in our negative working capital due to the sale of our art industry trade show and publications in the first quarter of 2004. In addition, we collected less cash in the fourth quarter of 2004, which was collected subsequently in 2005, related to trade shows held in the first five months of 2005. The decline was also attributable to changes in the timing of our payments of accounts payable in 2004. These declines were partially offset by an increase in operating income of $18.2 million in 2004 compared to 2003.

Net cash provided by operations increased $21.6 million to $45.8 million in 2003 compared to $24.3 million in 2002. Non-cash charges including a write-off of deferred financing costs of $11.3 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $56.6 million, deferred income taxes of $7.0 million, other non-cash charges totaling $4.5 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities of $15.9 million reduced the cash effect of the 2003 net loss of $49.4 million. The increase in cash generated from changes in our operating assets and liabilities is largely due to a delay in payments on accounts payable to 2004, accelerated collections on accounts receivable and increased collections of customer advance deposits related to future trade shows.

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $150.9 million to $5.6 million provided by investing activities in 2004, from $145.3 million used in 2003. This decrease was principally due to the acquisitions of the healthcare properties from Thomson for $136.5 million in 2003, the sale in 2004 of our art shows and magazines and our European call center and document management shows for a total sales price of $24.4 million in cash proceeds, partially offset by $7.9 million in cash used for the acquisition of IVT in 2004.

Net cash used in investing activities for 2003 compared to 2002 increased $114.1 million to $145.3 million in 2003. This increase was principally due to the acquisition from Thomson in 2003 as described above.

We incurred capital expenses of $9.0 million, $7.6 million, and $7.2 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We anticipate that we will spend approximately $11.1 million on capital expenditures in 2005, which will be funded by cash flows from operations. The majority of these expenditures are related to expansions and enhancements to our IT and communications infrastructure and management and operating group information systems. We believe that this amount of capital expenditure will be adequate to grow our business according to our business strategy and to maintain the key trade shows, publications and business of our continuing operations.

Cash used for acquisitions in 2004 decreased $129.8 million relative to 2003 primarily due to the 2003 acquisition from Thomson, compared to the acquisition of IVT in 2004 for $7.9 million. Our business strategy includes the consummation of strategic acquisitions. In connection with any future acquisitions, we may require additional funding, which may be provided in the form of additional debt or equity financing or a combination thereof. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or in a manner that complies with the restrictive covenants

in our debt instruments. Consistent with our longstanding strategy, we continue to pursue potential acquisitions of complementary businesses.

Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities

Net cash flows used in financing activities were $12.5 million in 2004 compared to cash provided by financing activities in 2003 of $110.2 million. We repaid $11.7 million of debt in 2004, including $8.0 million on our revolving credit facility. In 2003, we issued $430.0 million of the Senior Secured Notes and received $60.0 million in equity contributions from our parent company. We used the proceeds from these issuances to repay and terminate all outstanding term A loans and $12.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and paid fees of $12.3 million in connection with the offering. We also paid fees of $3.9 million to our senior lenders for an amendment to our credit facility in April 2003.

Net cash used in financing activities for 2003 compared to 2002 increased $125.6 million to $110.2 million in 2003. This increase was principally due to financing transactions in 2003 described above.

Debt service

As of December 31, 2004, we had total indebtedness of $614.2 million and approximately $59.1 million of borrowings available under our revolving credit facility. Our principal debt obligations are described below.

Credit facility

Our credit facility consists of a $60.0 million revolving credit facility and $25.0 million outstanding under the Term Loan B facility. The revolving credit facility will terminate in April 2007 and the Term Loan B matures in October 2008. Borrowings under the credit facility generally bear interest based on a margin over, at our option, the base rate or LIBOR. The applicable margin for revolving credit loans varies based upon our ratio of consolidated debt to EBITDA, as defined in the credit facility, and is currently 3.75% over LIBOR and 2.50% over the base rate. The applicable margin for the Term Loan B varies based upon the rating assigned by S&P and Moody's to our credit facility and is currently 4.50% over LIBOR and 3.25% over the base rate. Our obligations under the credit facility are guaranteed by Advanstar Holdings Corp. ("Advanstar Holdings"), our ultimate parent company, Advanstar, Inc., our direct parent company, and all our existing and future domestic subsidiaries. Our obligations under the credit facility are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of our company and the subsidiary guarantors, including a pledge of the capital stock of all our existing and future domestic subsidiaries, a pledge of no more than 65% of the voting stock of any foreign subsidiary directly owned by our company or any domestic subsidiary, a pledge of all intercompany indebtedness in favor of our company and our domestic subsidiaries, a pledge of our company's and Advanstar IH, Inc.'s capital stock held by our direct parent company, and a pledge of our direct parent company's capital stock held by Advanstar Holdings. Our credit facility contains restrictive covenants, which require us to, among other things, maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the credit facility documents) as of the end of each fiscal quarter. Although there can be no assurance, we believe, based on our anticipated performance and expected economic conditions, that we will be able to comply with the amended financial covenant contained in the credit facility in 2005.

Second priority senior secured notes

Our $128.3 million of floating rate notes mature in 2008 and our $300 million of fixed rate notes mature in 2010. The notes of each series are guaranteed by each of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries and collateralized by second-priority liens on the assets collateralizing our credit

facility (other than certain subsidiary stock and assets of our parent companies). The fixed rate notes bear interest at an annual rate of 10.75% and the floating rate notes bear interest at an annual rate equal to the three-month LIBOR, which is reset quarterly, plus 7.50%. Interest on the fixed rate notes is payable semi-annually in cash and interest on the floating rate notes, along with amortization of 0.25% of the principal of such floating rate notes, is payable quarterly in cash. The notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur debt, pay dividends and make investments.

Senior subordinated notes

Our $160 million 12% senior subordinated notes mature in 2011 and are guaranteed by each of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in cash. The notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur debt, pay dividends and make investments.

Parent company notes

Our parent, Advanstar, Inc., issued 15% senior discount notes due October 2011 with a principal amount at maturity of $171.8 million. These discount notes do not require cash interest payments until 2006 and contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of Advanstar, Inc. and its subsidiaries (including us) to incur debt, pay dividends and make investments. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the discount notes. Advanstar, Inc., however, is a holding company and its ability to pay interest on these discount notes will be dependent upon the receipt of dividends from its direct and indirect subsidiaries, principally dividends from us. However, the terms of our borrowing arrangements significantly restrict our ability to pay dividends to Advanstar, Inc. and Advanstar, Inc.'s failure to pay these notes would be a default under our credit facility.

Contractual and contingent obligations

Our contractual obligations (excluding accounts payable and accrued expenses), as of December 31, 2004 are as set forth below (in millions):

		Payments Due By Period
		2005		2006		2007		2008		2009		After 2009		Total
Indebtedness		$	1.3	$	1.3	$	1.3	$	149.5	$	—	$	460.0	$	613.4
Interest on indebtedness (1)			66.6		66.5		66.4		62.2		51.5		53.0		366.2
Operating lease obligations			7.1		6.4		5.1		4.6		3.0		1.7		27.9

	Total Contractual Cash Obligations	$	75.0	$	74.2	$	72.8	$	216.3	$	54.5	$	514.7	$	1,007.5

(1): Interest on the second priority floating rate notes, revolving credit facility and Term Loan B is calculated using LIBOR of 2.4%, the rate in effect on December 31, 2004. Because the floating rate notes, revolving credit facility and Term Loan B bear interest at a variable rate, actual payments could differ.

We have no material capital lease obligations or purchase obligations. Our contingent obligations are primarily composed of $0.9 million of letters of credit.

Off-balance sheet arrangements.

We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment" which revises SFAS 123 and supersedes APB 25. This statement establishes standards relating to accounting for transactions in which equity instruments are exchanged for goods or services. Under this statement, the Company must measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based upon the fair value of the award on the date of grant. This cost must be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide the service (usually the vesting period). We are required to adopt the provisions of this standard effective January 1, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard. The adoption of this standard may result in an increase in compensation expense and a reduction to net income as new options are granted under our 2000 Management Incentive Plan.

In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which addresses accounting for special-purpose and variable interest entities and which superseded Interpretation No. 46. The provisions of Interpretation No. 46R are effective for us in the first quarter of 2005. Specifically, based upon our analysis, we believe that we will be required to consolidate for reporting purposes the operations of Advanstar.com effective January 1, 2005.

The following table summarizes the unaudited pro forma revenue, loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change and net loss for the three years ended December 31, as if the Company had adopted this standard.

	2004			2003			2002
	(in thousands of dollars—unaudited)
Pro forma revenue	$	380,471		$	308,962		$	291,836
Pro forma loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(35,445	)		(51,507	)		(32,590	)
Pro forma net loss		(45,188	)		(51,418	)		(99,500	)

CERTAIN FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

Trade show exhibit space and ad pages could decline as a result of an economic slowdown in the United States, future terrorist attacks, or geopolitical concern.

Our customers typically reduce their marketing and advertising budgets during a general economic downturn or a recession in the United States or in any other market where we conduct a significant amount of business. The longer a recession or economic downturn continues, the more likely it becomes that our customers may significantly reduce their marketing and advertising budgets. Any material decrease in marketing budgets could reduce the demand for exhibition space and also reduce attendance at our trade shows and conferences. In addition, any material decrease in advertising budgets could reduce the demand for advertising space in our publications. As a result, our revenue and our cash flow from operations could decrease significantly. In addition, our integrated marketing strategy could be materially adversely affected if advertising revenue cannot support one or more of our important publications or if declines in our customers' marketing and advertising budgets require us to discontinue one or more of our important trade shows or conferences.

Our business and results of operations in 2004 were not significantly impacted by the U.S. economy, although our technology and travel sectors continue to be impacted by the poor conditions in these markets. Our future results might be affected by an economic slowdown.

Further terrorist attacks and continued geopolitical concern (including conflict in the Middle East) may significantly affect our future results of operations or financial condition, whether as a result of (1) reduced attendance at, or curtailment or cancellation of, trade shows due to travel fears, (2) further reduction in economic activity and a related reduction in marketing expenditures on publications or trade shows, or (3) other circumstances that could result from these or subsequent attacks.

We depend on securing desirable dates and locations for our trade shows and conferences, which we may not be able to secure.

The date and location of a trade show or a conference can impact its profitability and prospects. The market for desirable dates and locations is highly competitive. If we cannot secure desirable dates and locations for our trade shows and conferences, their profitability and future prospects would suffer, and our financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. In general, we maintain multi-year reservations for our trade shows and conferences. Consistent with industry practice, we do not pay for these reservations, and these reservations are not binding on the facility owners until we execute a contract with the owner. We typically sign contracts that guarantee the right to venues or dates for only one year. Therefore, our multi-year reservations may not lead to binding contracts with facility owners. In addition, because trade shows and conferences are held on pre-scheduled dates at specific locations, the success of a particular trade show or conference depends upon events outside of our control, such as natural catastrophes, labor strikes and transportation shutdowns.

A significant portion of our revenue and contribution before general and administrative expenses is generated from our MAGIC trade shows, so any decline in the performance of these shows would reduce our revenues and operating income.

For the year ended December 31, 2004, our MAGIC trade shows represented approximately 18.3% of our total revenue and approximately 31.2% of our contribution margin (defined as revenue less cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation costs). We expect that the MAGIC trade shows will continue to represent a significant portion of our overall revenue and contribution margin in the future. Therefore, a significant decline in the performance of one or both of the MAGIC trade shows, typically held in the first and third quarters, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We derive significant revenue and contribution margin before general and administrative expenses from our healthcare, science, and pharmaceutical cluster, which is dependent upon pharmaceutical marketing budgets.

The healthcare sector contributed 36.8% of our revenues in 2004 and 32.0% of our contribution margin (defined as revenue less cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation costs). A substantial portion of the advertising in the healthcare sector is by pharmaceutical companies. As a result, any material reduction in marketing activities by pharmaceutical companies, which could occur due to general economic conditions or factors specific to the industry, including a continued reduction in new drug introductions, a shift in marketing expenditures by pharmaceutical companies to sources other than publications (which shift has occurred to some extent in the last several years) and any future governmental regulation such as price controls or types of advertising restrictions, could have a material adverse effect on our results.

Any significant increase in paper or postage costs would cause our expenses to increase significantly.

Because of our print products, direct mail solicitations and product distributions, we incur substantial costs for paper and postage. We do not use forward contracts to purchase paper, and therefore are not protected against fluctuations in paper prices. In general, we use the U.S. Postal Service to distribute our print products and mailings. U.S. Postal Service rates increase periodically. If we cannot pass increased paper and postage costs through to our customers, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The market for our products and services is intensely competitive.

The intense competition for our products and services is highly fragmented by product offering and by geography. On a global level, larger international firms operate in many geographic markets and have broad product offerings in trade shows, conferences, publications and direct marketing products and other. In several industries, such as information technology and healthcare, we compete with large firms with a single-industry focus. Many of these large international and single-industry firms are better capitalized than we are and have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do.

We depend in part on new product introductions, and the process of researching, developing, launching and establishing profitability for a new event or publication is inherently risky and costly.

Our success depends in part upon our ability to monitor rapidly changing market trends and to adapt our events and publications to meet the evolving needs of existing and emerging target audiences. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to continue to adapt our existing events and publications and to offer new events and publications by addressing the needs of specific audience groups within our target markets. The process of researching, developing, launching and establishing profitability for a new event or publication is inherently risky and costly. We generally incur initial operating losses when we introduce new events and publications. Our efforts to introduce new events or publications may not ultimately be successful or profitable. In addition, costs related to the development of new events and publications are accounted for as expenses, so our year-to-year results may be materially adversely affected by the number and timing of new product launches.

Our growth strategy of identifying and consummating acquisitions entails integration and financing risk.

We intend to continue to grow in part through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. This growth strategy entails risks inherent in identifying desirable acquisition candidates, in integrating the operations of acquired businesses into our existing operations and risks relating to potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired businesses. In addition, we may not be able to finance the acquisition of a desirable candidate or to pay as much as our competitors because of our leveraged financial condition or general economic conditions. Difficulties that we may encounter in integrating the operations of acquired businesses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, we may not realize any of the anticipated benefits of an acquisition, and integration costs may exceed anticipated amounts.

We depend on our senior management team, and we do not have employment contracts for many of our senior managers.

We benefit substantially from the leadership and experience of members of our senior management team and depend on their continued services to successfully implement our business strategy. The loss of any member of our senior management team or other key employee could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Although we have entered into employment agreements with Mr. Loggia and Mr. Alic, we do not have employment contracts with most other members of our senior management team or other key employees. We cannot be certain that we will continue to retain the executives' services, or the services of other key personnel, in the future. Moreover, we may not be able to attract and retain other qualified personnel in the future. We do not currently maintain key-man life insurance policies on any member of our senior management team or other key employees.

Our international operations expose us to various risks associated with international operations.

We currently maintain offices in Brazil, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. International operations accounted for approximately 3.6% of our total revenue in 2004. International operations and expansion involve numerous risks, such as:

•: the uncertainty of product acceptance by different cultures;
•: divergent business expectations or cultural incompatibility in establishing joint ventures with foreign partners;

•: difficulties in staffing and managing multinational operations;
•: currency fluctuations;
•: state-imposed restrictions on the repatriation of funds; and
•: potentially adverse tax consequences.

The impact of any of these risks could materially adversely affect our future international operations and our financial condition and results of operations.

Current geopolitical conditions and the continuing threat of domestic and international terrorist attacks may adversely impact our results.

International geopolitical conditions, exacerbated by the war in Iraq and the escalating tensions elsewhere have contributed to an uncertain political and economic climate, both in the United States and globally, which may affect our ability to generate revenue on a predictable basis. In particular, our travel publications and trade shows remain sensitive to cutbacks in trade advertising directed to destination and vacation travel in response to concerns over terrorism and possible further conflicts in the Middle East and in other regions of the world. In addition, terrorist attacks internationally and the threat of future terrorist attacks both domestically and internationally have negatively impacted an already weakened worldwide economy. Customers have deferred and may continue to defer or reconsider purchasing our products and services as a result of these factors. Accordingly, adverse impacts on our business due to these factors could continue or worsen for an unknown period of time.

We have some exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rates of international currencies.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars. However, a portion of our revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including the British Pound Sterling and the Brazilian Real. Consequently, fluctuations in exchange rates could result in exchange losses. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, there was no material effect on our net income due to currency fluctuations, but the impact of future exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations cannot be accurately predicted. Moreover, because we intend to continue our international expansion, the effect of exchange rate fluctuations could be greater in the future. We have previously undertaken, and in the future may undertake, transactions to hedge the risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates of other currencies to the dollar. We do not know if any hedging techniques that we may implement will be successful or will mitigate the effect, if any, of exchange rate fluctuations on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is seasonal due largely to higher trade show revenue in the first and third quarters.

Our business is seasonal, with revenue typically reaching its highest levels during the first and third quarters of each calendar year, largely due to the timing of the MAGIC trade shows and our other large trade shows and conferences. In 2004, approximately 32% of our revenue was generated during the first quarter and approximately 26% during the third quarter. The second quarter accounted for approximately 22% of revenue and the fourth quarter accounted for approximately 20% of revenue in 2004. Because event revenue is recognized when a particular event is held, we may also experience fluctuations in quarterly revenue based on the movement of annual trade show dates from one quarter to another.

We may be required to recognize additional impairment charges.

Pursuant to GAAP, we are required to periodically assess our goodwill, intangibles and other long-lived assets to determine if they are impaired. Disruptions to our business, end market conditions and protracted economic weakness, unexpected significant declines in operating results of reporting units and divestitures may result in additional charges to goodwill and other asset impairments. Future impairment charges could substantially affect our reported earnings in the period of such charge.

We have a significant amount of debt, which could limit our ability to remain competitive or grow our business.

As of December 31, 2004, we had (a) total indebtedness of approximately $614.2 million and (b) approximately $59.1 million of borrowings available under our credit facility, subject to customary borrowing conditions. In addition, subject to the restrictions in our credit facility, the indenture and our other debt instruments, we may incur significant additional indebtedness from time to time. The level of our indebtedness may have important consequences, including:

•: limiting cash flow available for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and acquisitions, because a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to servicing our debt;
•: limiting our ability to obtain additional debt financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions;
•: limiting our flexibility in reacting to competitive and other changes in our industry and economic conditions generally; and
•: exposing us to risks inherent in interest rate fluctuations because some of our borrowings will be at variable rates of interest, which could result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates.

We may not be able to service our debt without the need for additional financing, which we may not be able to obtain on satisfactory terms, if at all.

Our ability to pay or to refinance our indebtedness will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that currently anticipated revenue growth and operating improvements will be realized or that future borrowings will be available to us in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or fund our other liquidity needs, we could attempt to restructure or refinance our indebtedness or seek additional equity capital. We cannot assure you that we will be able to accomplish those actions on satisfactory terms, if at all.

Our parent company will likely need to rely upon distributions from us to service its debt and we may not be able to make distributions in amounts sufficient to satisfy such debt service.

In addition to our debt service needs, our parent company, Advanstar, Inc., will likely need to rely upon distributions from us to service its 15% Senior Discount Notes due 2011, which we refer to as "parent company notes", including for the payment of interest which must be paid in cash beginning April 15, 2006. Our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to make distributions to Advanstar, Inc. will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors beyond our control.

In addition, our ability to make distributions to Advanstar, Inc. is subject to restrictions in our various debt instruments. For example, our second priority senior secured notes and our senior subordinated notes limit the amount of "restricted payments," including dividends that we can make. Generally, we can pay dividends only if our leverage ratio (as defined) is 6.0 to 1 or better and only from the amount by which our cumulative EBITDA (as defined) since January 1, 2001 exceeds 150% of our cumulative interest expense in that same period. As described above, our ability to generate EBITDA will depend upon various factors that may be beyond our control. Because a portion of our debt bears variable rates of interest, our interest expense could increase in the future. We may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or be permitted by the terms of our debt instruments to pay dividends or distributions to Advanstar, Inc. in amounts sufficient to allow it to pay cash interest on the parent company notes. If Advanstar, Inc. is unable to meet its debt service obligations, it could attempt to restructure or refinance its indebtedness or seek additional equity capital. We cannot assure you that Advanstar, Inc. will be able to accomplish these actions on satisfactory terms or at all. A default under the parent company notes could result in an acceleration of all outstanding loans under our credit facility which, in turn, would trigger a cross-default under both our second priority senior secured notes and our senior subordinated notes. See "—Liquidity and Capital Resources."

Restrictive covenants in our debt instruments may limit our ability to engage in a variety of transactions and could trigger defaults that would accelerate all of our debt.

Our second priority senior secured notes, senior subordinated notes, the parent company notes and our credit facility contain covenants that limit our ability to engage in a variety of transactions and other more restrictive covenants. Our credit facility requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined). Our ability to meet such financial covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those tests. We have required amendments in the past to relax financial covenants contained in our credit facility. We are substantially leveraged and our business remains subject to the same risks that created our historical liquidity and covenant concerns. A breach of any of these covenants or other provisions in the agreement governing the credit facility, our senior subordinated notes, the parent company notes and/or our second priority senior secured notes could result in a default under our credit facility, our senior subordinated notes, the parent company notes, and/or our second priority senior secured notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facility, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under our credit facility to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. We have pledged substantially all of our assets, other than assets of our foreign subsidiaries, as security under our credit facility on a first-priority basis. If the lenders under our credit facility accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay our credit facility and our other indebtedness.

We are dependent upon dividends from our subsidiaries to meet our debt service obligations.

We conduct a significant portion of our operations through our subsidiaries. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations will be dependent on receipt of dividends from our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Subject to the restrictions contained in the indentures governing our debt instruments, future borrowings by our subsidiaries may contain restrictions or prohibitions on the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us. In addition, under applicable state law, our subsidiaries may be limited in amounts that they are permitted to pay as dividends to us on their capital stock.

We are controlled by principal stockholders whose interests may differ from the interests of the holders of our debt.

Circumstances may occur in which the interests of our principal stockholders could be in conflict with the interests of the holders of our debt. In addition, these stockholders may have an interest in pursuing transactions that, in their judgment, enhance the value of their equity investment in our company, even though those transactions may involve risks to the holders of our debt.

Substantially all of the outstanding shares of common stock of our ultimate parent company are held by the DLJ Merchant Banking funds. As a result of their stock ownership, the DLJ Merchant Banking funds control us and have the power to elect a majority of our directors, appoint new management and approve any action requiring the approval of the holders of common stock, including adopting amendments to our certificate of incorporation and approving acquisitions or sales of all or substantially all of our assets. The directors elected by the DLJ Merchant Banking funds have the ability to control decisions affecting our capital structure, including the issuance of additional capital stock, the implementation of stock repurchase programs and the declaration of dividends.

The general partners of each of the DLJ Merchant Banking funds are affiliates or employees of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, which is also an affiliate of (1) Credit Suisse First Boston, the arranger, syndication agent and a lender under our credit facility, to which we have obtained amendments in the past to avoid future potential covenant defaults, and (2) the general partners of each of the DLJ Investment Partners funds, which own a substantial portion of the parent Company notes.

You may not be able to rely on forward-looking statements included in this annual report, as our actual results may be materially different.

The information contained in this annual report includes some forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A forward-looking statement is usually identified by our use of certain terminology including "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "pro forma," "anticipates" or "intends" or by discussions of strategy or intentions. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, achievements or industry results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:

•: the competitive environment in our industry;
•: economic conditions in general and in the industry in which we compete;
•: changes in or our failure to comply with federal, state, local or foreign laws and government regulations;
•: liability and other claims asserted against our company;
•: changes in operating strategy or development plans;
•: the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
•: our significant indebtedness;
•: changes in our acquisition and capital expenditure plans; and
•: other factors we refer to in this section entitled "Certain Factors Which May Affect Future Results" and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

In addition, forward-looking statements depend upon assumptions, estimates and dates that may not be correct or precise and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Accordingly, a forward-looking statement is not a prediction of future events or circumstances and those future events or circumstances may not occur. Given these uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. We are not undertaking any obligation to update these factors or to publicly announce the results of any changes to our forward-looking statements due to future events or developments.

Item 7A.—QUANTITATIVE and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

We are exposed to various market risks, which is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as foreign currency exchange and interest rates. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We enter into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest Rates

At December 31, 2004, we had fixed rate debt of $460.0 million and variable rate debt of $153.4 million. The annual pre-tax earnings and cash flows impact resulting from a 100 basis point increase in interest rates on variable rate debt, holding other variables constant would be approximately $1.5 million per year.

Currencies

Outside of the United States, we maintain assets and operations in Europe, South America and Asia. The results of operations and financial position of our foreign operations are principally measured in their respective currency and translated into U.S. dollars. As a result, exposure to foreign currency gains and losses exists. The reported income of these subsidiaries will be higher or lower depending on a weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currency. Our subsidiaries and affiliates also purchase and sell products and services in various currencies. As a result, we may be exposed to cost increases relative to the local currencies in the markets in which we sell.

A portion of our assets are based in our foreign locations and are translated into U.S. dollars at foreign currency exchange rates in effect as of the end of each period, with the effect of such translation reflected in other comprehensive income (loss). Accordingly, our consolidated stockholder's equity will fluctuate depending upon the weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currency.

Our strategy for management of currency risk relies primarily on conducting our operations in a country's respective currency and may, from time to time, involve currency derivatives, primarily forward exchange contracts, to reduce our exposure to currency fluctuations. As of December 31, 2004, we had no open foreign exchange derivative contracts.

Item 8.—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Please refer to Item 15.—Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

Item 9.—CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No events have occurred which would require disclosure under this Item.

Item 9A.—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Advanstar's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the "Evaluation Date"), have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company would be made known to them by others within the Company.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no significant changes during the Company's fourth fiscal quarter in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

Item 9B.—OTHER INFORMATION

On September 15, 2004, the employment agreement between Advanstar, Inc. and James M. Alic, our Vice President, Chairmen of the Board and Director was amended. Pursuant to the amendment, Mr. Alic shall receive annual bonus compensation for calendar years 2004 and 2005, subject to discretionary approval of the Board of Directors of Advanstar, Inc. The amount of such bonus shall be based on the recommendation of the CEO of the Company and shall be in a gross amount not to exceed 100% of Mr. Alic's base salary. The term of Mr. Alic's employment agreement shall expire on December 31, 2005.

On October 1, 2004 we entered into an agreement with Mr. James A. Finkelstein pursuant to which Mr. Finkelstein will receive compensation for his service as a director of Advanstar, Advanstar, Inc. and Advanstar Holdings. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Finkelstein will receive an annual retention fee of $50,000, will be reimbursed for reasonable out of pocket expenses and will be granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of Holdings common stock as an exercise price equal to $10.00 per share. The options will vest over a four year period with 20% vesting on the agreement date and 20% vesting on each anniversary of Mr. Finkelstein's service on the boards.

PART III

Item 10.—DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers, directors and other key employees.

Name	Age	Position
Joseph Loggia	45	Chief Executive Officer and Director
James M. Alic	62	Vice President, Chairman of the Board and Director
David W. Montgomery	47	Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Eric I. Lisman	47	Executive Vice President Corporate Development
Rick Treese	34	Vice President — Chief Technical Officer
Alexander S. DeBarr	44	Executive Vice President
Daniel M. Phillips	42	Executive Vice President
Scott E. Pierce	46	Executive Vice President
R. Steven Morris	53	Vice President
Annie Callanan	41	Executive Vice President
OhSang Kwon	36	Director
Douglas B. Fox	57	Director
Charles Pieper	58	Director
James Finkelstein	56	Director

Executive Officers

Joseph Loggia has served as our Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2004. Prior to that he served as President and Chief Operating Officer since July 2001. Since May 1998, when Advanstar acquired MAGIC, Mr. Loggia has also served as President of MAGIC. Prior to that, he had served as MAGIC's President and Chief Executive Officer from May 1997 to May 1998, President from August 1996 and Chief Operating Officer beginning in 1995. From August 1993 to August 1996, he was Chief Financial Officer of MAGIC. Prior to joining MAGIC, Mr. Loggia was a manager at the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand responsible for Fraud & Financial Investigations.

James M. Alic has served as Chairman of the Board since August 2004. He previously served as our Vice Chairman and Vice President since he joined Advanstar in July 1996 to July 2004. From June 1995 to June 1996, he was Vice President and Controller of IBM Corporation, a computer hardware and software manufacturer. From September 1994 to May 1995, he was Chairman of Reed Exhibition Companies. From August 1991 to August 1994, he was President of Reed Exhibitions North America.

David W. Montgomery has served as our Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer since January 1994. From July 1989 to December 1993, he was our Director of Corporate Finance. In July 1992, he became our Secretary. From January 1981 to June 1989, he was a practicing CPA with McGladrey & Pullen in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Eric I. Lisman has served as our Executive Vice President Corporate Development since 1998. He previously served as our General Counsel from September 1998 to February 2005. From November 1997 to August 1998, he engaged in a private legal practice. From August 1996 to July 1997,

he was a Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Cahners Publishing Company. From July 1993 to July 1996, he was a Vice President and General Counsel of Reed Publishing USA.

Rick Treese has served as our Vice President and Chief Technology Officer since March of 2002, a role he moved to after two years as the CTO of Advanstar.com. Prior to Advanstar, Mr. Treese was Vice President of Technology at Goldman, Sachs & Company where he led the software development effort for the Equity Research Division.

Key Employees

Alexander S. DeBarr has served as our Executive Vice President since June 1997 and is responsible for the Portfolio, Dental, Veterinary, and Beauty markets. From February 1995 to May 1997, he was a Group Vice President of Advanstar. Mr. DeBarr also served as a Group Publisher of Advanstar from February 1993 until January 1995.

Daniel M. Phillips currently serves as Executive Vice President of our Powersports market. He was previously Vice President and General Manager of Advanstar's Technology groups. Mr. Phillips joined Advanstar in 1996 as a group publisher of America's Network, Telecom Asia and Communicationes magazines, and in 1998 was promoted to Vice President and General Manager. Prior to joining Advanstar, Mr. Phillips was responsible for publications for EMAP (U.K.) in the area of telecommunications.

Scott E. Pierce currently serves as Executive Vice President responsible for the Travel & Hospitality group. Mr. Pierce joined Advanstar in 1997 as a group publisher of the Travel & Hospitality group.

R. Steven Morris currently serves as Vice President responsible for the Direct Marketing Products group. Mr. Morris joined Advanstar in 2004. Prior to joining Advanstar, Mr. Morris was Chief Operating Officer for Metro International Newspapers for the Americas and Asia.

Annie Callanan currently serves as Executive Vice President responsible for the Healthcare, Science and Pharmaceutical markets. Mrs. Callanan joined Advanstar in 2004. Prior to joining Advanstar, Ms. Callahan was a Senior Vice President at CMP Media and a Vice President at Miller Freeman.

Directors

Joseph Loggia. See "—Executive Officers."

James M. Alic. See "—Executive Officers."

OhSang Kwon has served as a director since October 2000. Mr. Kwon has been a Principal of DLJ Merchant Banking since 2001 and a Vice President of DLJ Merchant Banking prior to that. From May 1997 to February 2000, he was an Associate with DLJ Securities Corporation, and he became a Vice President of DLJ Securities Corporation in February 2000. From October 1996 to May 1997, he was an Associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell. Prior to that, he was a law clerk for the Hon. William C. Conner in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Kwon currently serves on the board of directors of UAE Holdings Corp., MSW Energy Holdings II LLC and American Ref-Fuel Company LLC.

Douglas B. Fox has served as a director and chairman of the audit committee since September 2002. Mr. Fox is a private investor and consultant. Prior to his current activities, he served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Compaq Computer Company from 2000 to 2001 and Senior Vice President of Marketing at International Paper Inc. from 1997 to 2000. He served as President of Landmark Communications Inc. from 1994 to 1996 and prior to that while at Newsday in New York from 1987 to 1994 he served as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Fox currently

serves on the Board of Directors of Bowne Inc., as well as Bowne Global Services, Young America, Inc., VitaQuest, Inc. and The Oreck Company.

Charles Pieper has served as a Director since August 2004. Mr. Pieper joined DLJMB and CSFB's Alternative Capital Division in 2004 as an Operating Partner. Prior to joining DLJMB, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Japan, Korea, Taiwan; GE Medical Systems Asia; Yokogawa Medical Systems; GE Lighting Europe and GE Trading Co; and an Operating Partner with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Mr. Pieper previously served as Chairman and Acting CEO of Alliant Foodservice, Inc. and U.S. Office Products, Chairman of the Board of Fairchild Dornier Corporation, Italtel Holding S.p.A., North American Van Lines, and Vice Chairman of Dynatech.

James Finkelstein has served as a Director since October 2004. Mr. Finkelstein has been Executive Chairman of Thompson Publishing Group since May 2004 and Chairman of Global Media Partners at Credit Suisse First Boston since January 2004. Previously he served as media partner to DB Capital Partners and Veronis Suhler Stevenson. He is presently President of the Marquis Who's Who, LLC, and CEO of News Communications, Inc. publishers of The Hill, the publication for Congress, and Dan's Publications. From 1979 to 1998 he served as CEO of the National Law Publishing Company. Mr. Finkelstein has served on the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society, and New York University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences Board of Overseers, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Hofstra University.

All of our directors also serve on the board of directors of Advanstar, Inc.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Our Audit Committee is comprised of two non-management directors who are appointed by the Board of Directors: Mr. Douglas B. Fox, and Mr. OhSang Kwon. Our Board of Directors has carefully considered the definition of "audit committee financial expert" adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and has determined that Mr. Fox is an audit committee financial expert. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Fox is not independent under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, which is compliant with Item 406 of Regulation S-K. Our Code of Ethics is posted on our website at http://www.advanstar.com. Any waivers or amendments to our Code of Ethics that apply to our Chief Executive Officer or our Chief Financial Officer that are required to be disclosed by SEC rules will be disclosed on our website within five business days following such waiver.

Item 11.—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table presents compensation paid to our chief executive officer and the four other most highly paid officers in the last three fiscal years.

Name and Principal Position	Year	Salary		Bonus (1)		Other Annual Compensation(2)		Long-Term Compensation Awards Securities Underlying Options/SARs	All Other Compensation(3)
Joseph Loggia Chief Executive Officer and Director	2004 2003 2002	$	625,000 500,000 500,000	$	339,016 146,046 204,373	$	990 — —	— 600,000 100,000	$	7,860 7,140 6,775
James M. Alic Chairman of the Board(4)	2004 2003 2002		150,000 150,000 209,230		75,000 50,000 —		— — —	106,250 — —		8,632 6,427 8,426
David W. Montgomery Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary	2004 2003 2002		298,462 259,615 250,000		120,000 75,000 58,000		— — —	— — 50,000		7,388 7,015 6,504
Eric I. Lisman Executive Vice President— Corporate Development	2004 2003 2002		362,000 361,539 350,000		144,800 65,639 59,200		— — —	— — 50,000		7,597 7,379 6,773
Rick Treese Vice President—Chief Technical Officer	2004 2003 2002		239,731 232,692 221,923		84,000 38,165 46,000		— — —	— — 35,000		6,638 6,559 6,049

(1): Bonuses are reported in the year earned, even though they were actually paid in the subsequent year.
(2): Includes the fair market value of perquisites and personal benefits provided for by our company.
(3): Includes value of group term life insurance premiums paid for by our company for the benefit of the officer.
(4): See "—Employment Agreements and Arrangements" for a discussion of Mr. Alic's amended employment agreement.

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

The following table sets forth each grant of stock options made by Advanstar (consisting of options to purchase stock of Holdings) during the year ended December 31, 2004 pursuant to the 2000 Management Incentive Plan described below to each of the named executive officers. We have not granted any stock appreciation rights.

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

							Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term
		% of Total Options Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year
	Number of Securities Underlying Options Granted
Name				Exercise Price ($/share)		Expiration Date
Name				Exercise Price ($/share)		Expiration Date	5% ($)		10% ($)
James M. Alic	106,250	41.5	%	$	10.00	2014	$	668,201	$	1,693,351

Option Exercises and Holdings

The following table sets forth, for each of the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, certain information concerning the number of shares subject to both exercisable and unexercisable stock options as of December 31, 2004. None of the unexercised options were "in the money" at December 31, 2004 based on a good faith estimate of the fair market value of the stock price.

Aggregated Option Exercises in 2004 and December 31, 2004 Option Values

			Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at Fiscal Year End
					Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Fiscal Year End
	Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
Name		Value Realized
Name		Value Realized	Exercisable	Unexercisable	Exercisable	Unexercisable
James M. Alic	—	—	138,610	136,390	—	—
Joseph Loggia	—	—	461,250	638,750	—	—
David W. Montgomery	—	—	140,625	109,375	—	—
Eric I. Lisman	—	—	96,875	103,125	—	—
Rick Treese	—	—	9,844	25,156	—	—

The following table sets forth, the shares issued and issuable and exercise price for our equity compensation plan as of December 31, 2004.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

		Number of Shares To Be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights		Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights			Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Outstanding Securities)
Equity compensation plan approved by security holders		3,825,000		$	10.00		222,789

We do not have any equity compensation plans that were not approved by shareholders.

Stock Option and Incentive Plans

2000 Management Incentive Plan

The 2000 Management Incentive Plan was adopted by the board of Advanstar Holdings ("Holdings") on October 11, 2000 and amended by the board of Holdings as of September 17, 2002 and December 10, 2002. The following description of the plan is intended to be a summary and does not describe all provisions of the plan.

Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the plan is to attract and retain the best available key employees, non-employee directors and consultants for Holdings and its subsidiaries and affiliates and to encourage the highest level of performance by those individuals, thereby enhancing Holdings' value for the benefit of its stockholders. The plan is also intended to motivate such individuals by means of performance-related incentives to achieve longer-range performance goals and enable such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of Holdings.

Administration of the Plan. The plan will be administered by the compensation committee or the board as a whole, if no committee is constituted. The compensation committee has the power, in its discretion, to select the participants who will participate in the plan, to grant awards under the plan, to determine the terms of these awards, to interpret the provisions of the plan and to take any action that it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the plan.

Eligibility and Participation. Eligibility to participate in the plan is limited to key employees of Holdings, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Participation in the plan is at the discretion of the compensation committee and will be based upon the individual's present and potential contributions to Holdings' success and such other factors as the compensation committee deems relevant. No individual may be granted in any calendar year awards covering more than 900,000 shares of Holdings common stock.

Type of Awards Under the Plan. The plan provides that the compensation committee may grant non-statutory stock options to eligible participants subject to such terms, conditions and provisions as the compensation committee may determine to be necessary or desirable.

Number of Authorized Shares. Holdings has authorized a maximum of 4,047,789 shares of its common stock for participants under the plan during the term of the plan, of which 3,825,000 have been granted and remain outstanding as of December 31, 2004. In addition, the number of shares available will be increased to the extent that shares are not purchased on a leveraged basis under Holdings' Direct Investment Program. The compensation committee may adjust the number and class of shares available under the plan to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights in the event of various changes in Holdings' capitalization.

Put and Call Rights. Holdings has certain rights to repurchase, or "call," shares purchased pursuant to the plan if a plan participant is terminated by Holdings or one of its subsidiaries for cause or without cause, or if the participant terminates employment for good reason, without good reason, or due to death, disability or "qualified retirement." A plan participant has the right to sell, or "put," shares purchased pursuant to the plan to Holdings if a participant's employment is terminated due to disability, "qualified retirement" or death. "Qualified retirement" means retirement at age 62 or with board approval.

Change in Control. If there is a change in control of Holdings, all unvested time-vesting options granted pursuant to the plan will vest and become immediately exercisable and, if the change in control constitutes a liquidity event (as defined in the award agreements), all performance vesting options will vest. A change in control generally means the acquisition by any person or group of persons, other than an affiliate or affiliates of the DLJ Merchant Banking funds, of more than 51% of the outstanding voting securities of Holdings or a sale of all or substantially all of Holdings' assets.

Amendment and Termination. Holdings' board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the plan at any time, provided that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination will be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to qualify for or comply with any tax or regulatory status or requirement with which the board deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply.

Direct Investment Plan

The Direct Investment Plan was adopted by the board of Holdings on October 11, 2000 to promote the interests of Holdings and its stockholders by retaining exceptional executive personnel and aligning the interests of such employees with those of Holdings' equity investors. Upon the closing of the DLJ Acquisition, 1,100,000 million shares of common stock of Holdings were purchased by executives of the Company pursuant to the plan, and participation in the plan was closed at that level

as of December 31, 2000. Pursuant to the plan, one-half of the shares were purchased through non-recourse loans granted by Holdings. The principal and accrued interest on the non-recourse loans were settled in full in 2004.

Holdings has certain rights to repurchase, or "call," shares purchased pursuant to the plan if a plan participant is terminated by Holdings or one of its subsidiaries for cause or without cause, or if the participant terminates employment for good reason, without good reason, or due to death, disability or "qualified retirement." A plan participant has the right to sell, or "put," shares purchased pursuant to the plan to Holdings if a participant's employment is terminated due to disability, "qualified retirement" or death. "Qualified retirement" means retirement at age 62 or with board approval.

401(k) Plan

Advanstar, Inc. has an Employees' 401(k) Plan and Trust. All current and future employees who have completed one year of service with Advanstar, Inc. or any other domestic subsidiary of Advanstar, Inc. and are at least 21 years-of-age are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Participants in the 401(k) Plan may not contribute more than the lesser of a specified statutory amount or 100% of his or her pre-tax total compensation. Advanstar, Inc. is required to make a matching contribution to the 401(k) Plan, which vests in equal installments over five years, in accordance with the following schedule:

•: with respect to the employee's elective contribution in an amount up to 2% of the employee's gross compensation, the matching contribution is required to be equal to 100% of the employee's contribution;
•: with respect to the employee's elective contribution in excess of 2% and not in excess of 6% of gross compensation, the matching contribution is required to be equal to 25% of such employee's contribution; and
•: with respect to the employee's elective contribution in excess of 6% of gross compensation, there shall be no matching contribution.

Employment Agreements and Arrangements

Mr. Loggia entered into an employment agreement with us dated as of November 21, 2003. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Loggia continued to act as our president and chief operating officer through December 31, 2003, following which time he succeeded to the position of Chief Executive Officer for an initial employment term of three years, followed by successive three year employment terms unless terminated by either party in accordance with this agreement. Mr. Loggia is entitled to an annual base salary of $625,000 and an annual bonus based on our EBITDA for any year, up to a maximum bonus in any one year of 100% of base salary. The agreement provides for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by law. If Mr. Loggia is terminated by us without "cause" or terminates his employment for "good reason," each as defined in the employment agreement, he will be entitled to his bonus for that portion of the fiscal year before he was terminated and the continuation of his base salary for a period of two years following his termination. Mr. Loggia also has entered into a new non-compete and confidentiality agreement with us. The non-compete period is one year, during which time Mr. Loggia will continue to receive his base salary unless he was terminated for cause or as a result of his death or disability. Any base salary paid to Mr. Loggia under his non-compete and confidentiality agreement will offset any severance payments to which Mr. Loggia may become entitled under his new employment agreement.

Mr. Alic entered into an employment agreement with us, which was amended effective March 1, 2002 and September 15, 2004. The amended agreement provides for a fixed term through December 31, 2005, and continuation thereafter until terminated by either party. Pursuant to the

amended agreement, Mr. Alic will serve as Chairman and will be entitled to an annual base salary of $150,000 and up to a maximum bonus in 2004 and 2005 of 100% of his base salary. The amended agreement does not provide for a bonus payment or severance upon termination. The agreement provides for indemnification of the executive to the extent permissible under New York law. Mr. Alic also entered into a non-competition and confidentiality agreement with us. The non-compete period is one year after termination of employment unless employment is terminated by us without cause or by the executive for good reason, in which case the non-competition period is six months. During the non-compete period, Mr. Alic may not hire any employee or solicit any trade show or publishing business from a third party that has a relationship or contract with us.

We currently have a severance arrangement with David W. Montgomery, our Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. In the event that Mr. Montgomery's employment is involuntarily terminated for any reason other than for cause, the arrangement provides that Mr. Montgomery will receive a termination payment equal to six months of salary.

Advanstar, Inc. currently has a severance arrangement with Eric I. Lisman, its Executive Vice President Corporate Development. In the event that Mr. Lisman's employment is terminated for any reason other than for cause or if Mr. Lisman's principal office location is relocated outside the greater Boston area, the arrangement provides that Mr. Lisman will receive twelve months of severance based on his then current salary, his target bonus and health benefits.

We do not have employment agreements with our other named executive officers.

Director Compensation

Standard Arrangements

We currently have no standard arrangements pursuant to which our directors would be compensated for their services as a director.

Other Arrangements

On October 1, 2004, Mr. James Finkelstein was appointed as a member of the board of directors. Mr. Finkelstein receives an annual retention fee of $50,000. He also was granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the common stock of Holdings at an exercise price of $10.00 per share, pursuant to Holdings' 2000 Management Incentive Plan. These options will vest over a four-year period, with 20% vesting upon the grant date and an additional 20% vesting on each anniversary of the grant.

On September 17, 2002, Mr. Douglas B. Fox was appointed as a member of the board of directors. Mr. Fox receives an annual retention fee of $20,000 and, through Renaissance Brands, LLC, a company wholly owned by Mr. Fox, a separate annual advisory fee of $30,000, both payable in equal quarterly installments. Mr. Fox is also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his service as a director of the Company.

As of the date of his appointment, Mr. Fox was granted options to purchase 25,000 shares of the common stock of Holdings at an exercise price of $10.00 per share, pursuant to Holdings' 2000 Management Incentive Plan. These options will vest over a four-year period, with 20% vesting upon the grant date and an additional 20% vesting on each anniversary of the grant. Mr. Fox was also granted the right, expiring December 31, 2002, to purchase up to 50,000 shares of the common stock of Holdings at a price of $10.00 per share, which he did not exercise.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the periods up to and including 2004, we did not have a compensation committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, Messrs. Loggia and Montgomery participated in deliberations of our board of directors concerning executive officer compensation.

Item 12.—SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

All of our common stock is owned by our parent company, Advanstar, Inc., which is wholly-owned by Advanstar Holdings. The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Holdings' common stock as of March 29, 2005 by (a) any person or group who beneficially owns more than five percent of Holdings common stock, (b) each of our directors and executive officers and (c) all directors and officers as a group.

In accordance with the rules of the SEC, beneficial ownership includes voting or investment power with respect to securities and includes shares issuable pursuant to warrants that are exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2005. Shares issuable pursuant to warrants are deemed outstanding in computing the percentage held by the person holding the warrants but are not deemed outstanding in computing the percentage held by any other person.

Name of Beneficial Owner:	Number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned		Percentage of Outstanding Common Stock
DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. and related investors	35,966,117(1	)	97.2	%
Joseph Loggia	467,500(2	)	1.3	%
James M. Alic	316,288(3	)	*
David W. Montgomery	143,750(4	)	*
Eric I. Lisman	103,125(5	)	*
Douglas B. Fox	15,000(6	)	*
Rick Treese	13,125(7	)	*
James Finkelstein	5,000(8	)	*
OhSang Kwon(9) DLJ Merchant Banking Inc. Eleven Madison Avenue New York, New York 10010	—		—
Charles Pieper(9) DLJ Merchant Banking Inc. Eleven Madison Avenue New York, New York 10010	—		—
All directors and officers as a group (9 persons)	1,063,788		2.7	%

*: Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock
(1): Consists of 35,100,000 shares held directly by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. and the following related investors: DLJ ESC II, L.P., DLJMB Funding III, Inc., DLJ Offshore Partners III, C.V., DLJ Offshore Partners III-1, C.V., DLJ Offshore Partners III-2, C.V., DLJMB Funding III, Inc. and DLJ Partners III GmbH & Co. KG and warrants to purchase 866,117 shares of common stock issued to DLJ Investment Partners, II, L.P. and the following related investors: DLJ ESC II, L.P., DLJ Investment Funding II, Inc. and DLJ Investment Partners, L.P. See "Item 13.—Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions." The address of each of these investors is 11 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010, except that the address of Offshore Partners is John B. Gorsiraweg 14, Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.

(2): Consists of 467,500 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(3): Consists of 108,516 shares, warrants to purchase 34,787 shares and 172,985 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(4): Consists of 143,750 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(5): Consists of 103,125 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(6): Consists of 15,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(7): Consists of 13,125 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(8): Consists of 5,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.
(9): Messrs. Kwon and Pieper are officers of DLJ Merchant Banking, Inc., an affiliate of the DLJ Merchant Banking funds and the DLJ Investment Partners funds. Shares shown for Messrs. Kwon and Pieper exclude shares shown as held by the DLJ Merchant Banking funds and the DLJ Investment Partners funds, as to which they disclaim beneficial ownership.

Advanstar has no securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans; all equity issued as compensation consists of equity of Holdings.

Item 13.—CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Financial Advisory Fees and Agreements

Our parent company, Advanstar Holdings, was acquired by the DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. and related funds in October 2000 ("The Acquisition").

Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, an affiliate of the DLJ Merchant Banking funds, has and will receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses in connection with the arrangement and syndication of the credit facility and as a lender thereunder. Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, an affiliate of the DLJ Merchant Banking funds, acts as our financial advisor and acted as our financial advisor in connection with the Thomson acquisition, was one of the initial purchasers of the second priority senior secured notes issued in August and September of 2003 and was an initial purchaser of our senior subordinated notes and the parent company discount notes. We paid fees for these services of $0.2 million in 2002 and $10.4 million in 2003, plus out-of-pocket expenses. No fees were paid in 2004 related to financings.

In connection with the Acquisition, Advanstar Holdings agreed to pay Credit Suisse First Boston LLC an annual advisory fee of $0.5 million beginning October 11, 2000 when the acquisition of Advanstar by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. and related funds occurred ("The Acquisition") until the earlier to occur of:

(1): an initial public offering of Advanstar Holdings;
(2): the date when the DLJ Merchant Banking funds own less than 16²/3% of the shares of Advanstar Holdings' common stock held by them on the closing date of the Acquisition; and
(3): October 11, 2005.

Subsequently, Credit Suisse First Boston, LLC has assigned its rights under this agreement to DLJ Merchant Banking Funds.

Advanstar Holdings is a holding company and has no direct material operations or source of cash to pay this obligation other than by distributions from its subsidiaries including Advanstar Communications Inc.

Advanstar and its subsidiaries may from time to time enter into other investment banking relationships with Credit Suisse First Boston LLC or one of its affiliates pursuant to which Credit Suisse First Boston LLC or its affiliates will receive customary fees and will be entitled to reimbursement for all related disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses. We expect that any arrangement will include provisions for the indemnification of Credit Suisse First Boston LLC against a variety of liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Stockholders Agreement

Advanstar Holdings, the DLJ Merchant Banking funds, the DLJ Investment Partners funds and the other stockholders of Advanstar Holdings (collectively, including Mr. Alic, the "Advanstar Holdings Stockholders") entered into a stockholders' agreement at the closing of the DLJMB acquisition. The stockholders' agreement provides that any person acquiring shares of common stock of Advanstar Holdings who is required by the stockholders' agreement or by any other agreement or plan of Advanstar Holdings to become a party to the stockholders' agreement will execute an agreement to be bound by the stockholders' agreement.

The terms of the stockholders' agreement restrict transfers of shares of Advanstar Holdings capital stock by the Advanstar Holdings Stockholders, except to permitted transferees and subject to various exceptions. The agreement will permit:

•: the other stockholders to participate in specified sales of shares of Advanstar Holdings capital stock by the DLJ Merchant Banking funds,
•: the DLJ Merchant Banking funds to require the other stockholders to sell shares of Advanstar Holdings capital stock in specified circumstances should the DLJ Merchant Banking funds choose to sell any shares owned by them, and
•: the stockholders to purchase equity securities proposed to be issued by Advanstar Holdings to the DLJ Merchant Banking funds on a preemptive basis to maintain their percentage ownership interest.

The stockholders' agreement also provides that the DLJ Merchant Banking funds have the right to select three of the six members of the board of directors of Advanstar Holdings, the DLJ Investment Partners funds will have the right to select one member so long as they maintain ownership of at least 50% of their initial ownership of senior discount notes of Advanstar, Inc. (and thereafter will have rights to an observer). In addition, the DLJ Merchant Banking funds are permitted to expand Advanstar Holdings' board and select all of the additional directors. Messrs. Alic, Kwon and Pieper are the directors selected by the DLJ Merchant Banking funds. As of December 31, 2004, DLJ Investment Partners no longer owns Advanstar Inc.'s senior discount notes, so they can no longer select a member of the board.

Under the stockholders' agreement, the Advanstar Holdings Stockholders entered into a registration rights agreement with Advanstar Holdings. Under that agreement, the DLJ Merchant Banking funds will have the right to six demand registrations (or five if the holders of the warrants issued with the parent company notes have exercised a demand), and the holders of the warrants issued with the parent company notes will have the right to one demand registration of common stock after an initial public offering. In addition, all of the holders will be entitled to piggyback registration rights, subject to customary cutback and deferral provisions. The agreement also provides that Advanstar Holdings will indemnify the parties against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Relationship with Advanstar.com

Our affiliate, Advanstar.com, has developed vertical community web sites to serve industry sectors that we target and operates our event and publication-related web sites. We provide Advanstar.com with limited administrative support services in accounting, finance, legal, human resource management, information technology and business development. These services are charged to Advanstar.com based on level of activity. In addition, selected staff in editorial and other functions at Advanstar will be shared with Advanstar.com. To the extent the percentage of time devoted by our employees to Advanstar.com activities is significant, appropriate allocations of staff cost are made to Advanstar.com.

We also provide Advanstar.com with marketing and promotional support through advertising pages in our trade publications and exhibit space in our trade shows. In return, Advanstar.com provides promotional support on its web sites for our trade publications and trade shows. Advanstar.com operates specific web sites in support of our trade publications and trade shows. Among other functions, these sites provide services, such as trade show and conference registration and publication subscription and reader services, in support of our products. Advanstar.com has the right to use the content from our publications and events, our brands and our customer lists for the purpose of building and operating the web sites.

In addition, we have provided funding to Advanstar.com to support its operations. We provided funding of approximately $2.4 million in 2002, $1.1 million in 2003 and $3.3 million in 2004, which includes a $1.9 million cash advance to settle Advanstar.com's outstanding lease obligation. We plan to merge the operations of Advanstar.com into ours in 2005. We believe the effect will be to reduce the effect of Advanstar.com's losses included in our operating results. We do not expect this merger to have a material effect on our financial position.

Loan Agreement with Chairman of the Board

See "Item 11—Executive Compensation—Direct Investment Plan."

Item 14.—PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The Audit Committee engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") to perform an annual audit of Advanstar's financial statements in 2003 and 2004. The following table presents information concerning fees paid to PwC in each of those years.

	2003		2004
Audit fees(1)	$	642,300	$	532,404
Audit-related fees(2)		19,000		19,856
Tax fees(3)		299,000		452,980
All other fees		—		—

(1): These are fees for professional services performed by PwC for (1) the annual audit and quarterly reviews of Advanstar's consolidated financial statements, (2) statutory audits for subsidiaries outside of the United States, (3) assistance with filings related to our debt offerings, and (4) assistance with filings related to our acquisition of the Thomson publications.
(2): These are fees for assurance and related services performed by PwC that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Advanstar's financial statements but not described in item (1) above, primarily attributable to audits of our employee benefit plan.
(3): These are fees for professional services performed by PwC with respect to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. This includes tax preparation and review services performed in connection

with our federal, state and foreign tax returns and tax advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments.

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving all work performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Specifically, the policies and procedures prohibit PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from performing any services for Advanstar or its subsidiaries without the prior specific approval of the audit committee, except that the audit committee pre-approved the use of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC for the following service categories of non-audit service for 2004: audit related services in aggregate not to exceed $120,000; U.S. tax planning and compliance in aggregate not to exceed $285,000; other tax services in aggregate not to exceed $140,000; other non-audit services in aggregate not to exceed $50,000. Services in excess of these limits must have prior specific approval by the audit committee.

All services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC in 2004 were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the approval policies described above. None of such services were approved pursuant to the procedures described in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X, which waives the general requirement for pre-approval in certain circumstances.

PART IV

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

A. Documents Filed as Part of this Report:

1. Financial Statements:

		Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003		F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002		F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002		F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002		F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-6

2. Financial Statement Schedule:

The following schedule is included in this Annual Report on the page indicated:

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

II-1

All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholder and Board of Directors
of Advanstar Communications Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Advanstar Communications, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanstar Inc., and its Subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", on January 1, 2002.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 11, 2005

F-1

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2004 and 2003

			2004			2003
			(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	41,223		$	29,274
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $798 and $842 at December 31, 2004 and 2003			26,941			33,844
	Prepaid expenses			8,828			7,892
	Other			2,476			1,771
	Current assets of discontinued operations			—			3,316

		Total current assets		79,468			76,097
Property, plant and equipment, net				24,539			23,758
Intangible and other assets
	Goodwill			707,756			699,221
	Intangibles and other, net			101,174			141,627

		Total intangible and other assets, net		808,930			840,848
Non-current assets of discontinued operations				—			45,887

			$	912,937		$	986,590

Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
Current liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt		$	1,300		$	3,700
	Accounts payable			13,940			21,831
	Accrued compensation			8,652			6,940
	Other accrued expenses			34,101			34,986
	Deferred revenue			52,356			56,470
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations			—			4,947

		Total current liabilities		110,349			128,874
Long-term debt, net of current maturities				612,919			622,369
Deferred income taxes				18,250			4,586
Other long-term liabilities				4,277			5,322
Due to parent				2,698			3,650
Minority interests				3,579			3,516
Long term liabilities of discontinued operations				—			8,977
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)				—			—
Stockholder's equity
	Common stock, $.01 par value, 3,500,000 shares authorized; 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003			10			10
	Capital in excess of par value			447,367			447,367
	Accumulated deficit			(292,757	)		(241,594	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income			6,245			3,513

		Total stockholder's equity		160,865			209,296

			$	912,937		$	986,590

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-2

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

			2004			2003			2002
			(in thousands of dollars)
Revenue			$	378,054		$	306,764		$	289,615
Operating expenses
	Cost of production (excluding depreciation)			76,504			62,667			57,174
	Selling, editorial and circulation (excluding depreciation)			162,266			127,601			118,170
	General and administrative (excluding depreciation)			43,896			33,382			33,058
	Restructuring charge			—			2,692			—
	Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations (Note 13)			3,283			1,121			39,587
	Amortization of intangibles			41,575			47,120			58,310
	Depreciation			8,130			8,024			8,713

		Total operating expenses		335,654			282,607			315,012

		Operating income (loss)		42,400			24,157			(25,397	)
Other income (expense)
	Interest expense, net			(70,103	)		(57,849	)		(51,047	)
	Write-off of deferred financing costs			—			(11,324	)		—
	Other income (expense), net			799			165			2,931

		Loss from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and cumulative effect of accounting change		(26,904	)		(44,851	)		(73,513	)
Income tax provision (benefit)				13,954			4,283			(16,260	)
Minority interests				(562	)		(403	)		(176	)

		Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(41,420	)		(49,537	)		(57,429	)
(Loss) income from operations of discontinued business (including a goodwill impairment charge of $15,570 net of minority interest of $5,072 for the year ended December 31, 2004) (Note 4)				(9,743	)		89			(93	)

		Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change		(51,163	)		(49,448	)		(57,522	)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax and minority interest				—			—			(66,817	)

		Net loss	$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(124,339	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

			Common Stock								Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
			Common Stock			Capital in Excess of Par Value		Accumulated Deficit
			Shares	Amount		Capital in Excess of Par Value		Accumulated Deficit						Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Balances at December 31, 2001			1,000,000	$	10	$	350,175	$	(67,807	)	$	(5,992	)	$	276,386
Comprehensive loss
	Net loss		—		—		—		(124,339	)		—			—
	Translation adjustment		—		—		—		—			(2,920	)		—
	Change in unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments		—		—		—		—			(166	)		—
		Total comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—			—			(127,425	)
Provision for advances and notes due from affiliate (Note 13)			—		—		37,192		—			—			37,192

Balances at December 31, 2002			1,000,000		10		387,367		(192,146	)		(9,078	)		186,153
Comprehensive loss
	Net loss		—		—		—		(49,448	)		—			—
	Translation adjustment		—		—		—					8,283			—
	Change in unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments		—		—		—		—			4,308			—
		Total comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—			—			(36,857	)
Contribution of capital from parent			—		—		60,000		—			—			60,000

Balances at December 31, 2003			1,000,000		10		447,367		(241,594	)		3,513			209,296
Comprehensive loss
	Net loss		—		—		—		(51,163	)		—			—
	Translation adjustment		—		—		—		—			2,587			—
	Change in unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments		—		—		—		—			145			—
		Total comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—			—			(48,431	)

Balances at December 31, 2004			1,000,000	$	10	$	447,367	$	(292,757	)	$	6,245		$	160,865

The accompanying notes are an integral part of theses consolidated financial statements.

F-4

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

				2004			2003			2002
				(in thousands of dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss				$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(124,339	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
	Provision for notes and advances from affiliated dot.com company (Note 13)				—			—			37,192
	Cumulative effect of accounting change—transitional goodwill impairment				—			—			66,817
	Impairment of goodwill				15,570
	Write-off of deferred financing costs				—			11,324			—
	Depreciation and amortization				49,968			56,603			69,132
	(Gain) on derivative financial instruments				(1,391	)		(772	)		(1,236	)
	Undistributed earnings of minority interest holders				562			627			474
	Noncash interest expense				3,264			3,363			2,698
	(Gain) loss on disposition of business and other				(1,179	)		661			22
	Provision for bad debts				872			578			1,639
	Deferred income taxes				11,260			6,990			(16,605	)
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities
		Accounts receivable			6,190			(365	)		(1,955	)
		Inventories			(708	)		188			269
		Prepaid expenses			(583	)		844			2,131
		Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(8,165	)		16,167			(12,114	)
		Deferred revenue			(6,860	)		1,525			(2,654	)
		Other			649			(2,437	)		2,804

			Net cash provided by operating activities		18,286			45,848			24,275

Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment					(8,981	)		(7,608	)		(7,216	)
Acquisitions of publications and trade shows, net of cash acquired					(7,915	)		(137,728	)		(23,972	)
Proceeds from sale of assets					24,418			—			—
Acquisitions of intangibles, contingent payments, and other					(1,920	)		3			33

			Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		5,602			(145,333	)		(31,155	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from revolving credit loan					6,000			21,000			11,100
Payments on revolving credit loan					(14,000	)		(50,100	)		(8,000	)
Proceeds from long-term debt					—			431,050			—
Payments of long-term debt					(3,700	)		(333,525	)		(16,200	)
Capital contribution from parent					—			60,000			—
Deferred financing costs					(315	)		(16,962	)		(1,785	)
Dividends paid to minority interest holders					(500	)		(1,227	)		(503	)

			Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(12,515	)		110,236			(15,388	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash					576			(407	)		(3,438	)

			Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		11,949			10,344			(25,706	)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year					29,274			18,930			44,636

End of year				$	41,223		$	29,274		$	18,930

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

1. Nature of Business

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Advanstar Communications Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanstar, Inc. ("Parent"), and its majority owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Advanstar" or the "Company"). All intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The Company operates and manages trade shows and conferences; publishes controlled and paid circulation trade and professional and consumer periodicals; and markets a broad range of marketing, direct mail and database products and services.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses consist primarily of prepaid trade show and conference expenses, prepaid publication production costs and miscellaneous deposits. Event and publication expenses are charged to operations at the time of the related event and at the time of publication issuance. Other current assets consist primarily of paper inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:

		2004			2003
		(in thousands of dollars)
Land and improvements		$	2,514		$	2,495
Buildings			6,310			5,327
Furniture, machinery and equipment			41,051			36,617
Leasehold improvements			6,502			5,390

			56,377			49,829
Accumulated depreciation			(31,838	)		(26,071	)

	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	24,539		$	23,758

Property, plant and equipment is stated at its original cost and is depreciated on the straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

Land improvements		10–15 years
Buildings		20–40 years
Furniture, machinery and equipment		3–10 years
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of useful life or original lease term

F-6

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major betterments and improvements, which extend the useful life of the item, are capitalized and depreciated. The cost and accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the related accounts, and any residual values are charged or credited to operations.

Intangible and Other Assets

Trade exhibitor and advertiser lists are amortized on a double-declining balance method over six years and five years, respectively. Subscriber lists and other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over three to ten years. Trademarks and trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over twenty years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets, including identifiable intangibles, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value as measured by the associated discounted cash flows.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually using a two-step test based upon a fair value approach. The first step is used to identify a potential impairment, while the second step calculates the amount of impairment, if any. Additionally, goodwill is tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at December 31:

	2004		2003
	(in thousands of dollars)
Interest	$	13,084	$	12,958
Deposits and customer advances		12,627		10,940
Benefits and severance		2,326		2,882
Taxes		4,401		4,498
Derivative instruments		—		1,535
Other		1,663		2,173

	$	34,101	$	34,986

Revenue Recognition

Trade show and conference revenue is recognized in the accounting period in which the event is conducted. Subscription revenue is recognized on a pro rata basis as publications are issued to fulfill the subscription obligations. Advertising revenue is recognized when the publication with the respective advertisement is issued. Custom project contract revenue with both conference and print elements are deferred and not recognized until all elements are delivered. Deferred revenue is recorded when cash is received in advance of when a trade show event is held or the publication is issued. Customer advances are recorded when cash is received in anticipation of future advertising unrelated to a specific publication issue.

F-7

Deferred revenue consisted of the following at December 31:

		2004		2003
		(in thousands of dollars)
Deferred trade show and conference revenue		$	42,088	$	45,301
Deferred advertising and subscription revenue			10,268		11,169

	Total deferred revenue	$	52,356	$	56,470

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company accounts for translation adjustments related to its investments in foreign entities in accordance with SFAS No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. Local currencies are considered the functional currencies outside of the U.S. Generally, income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. For operations in local currency environments, assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates with cumulative translation adjustments included as a component of stockholder's equity.

Financial Derivative Instruments

The Company accounts for derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. For those instruments, which meet the hedging criteria, gains and losses will be recognized in other comprehensive income rather than in earnings.

Stock-Based Compensation

As permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, the Company has elected to account for stock options and awards to employees under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.

If the Company had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value of the options granted as prescribed by SFAS No. 123, net loss would have been increased to the unaudited pro forma amounts indicated in the table below for the years ended December 31:

	2004			2003			2002
	(in thousands of dollars—unaudited)
Net loss—as reported	$	(51,163	)	$	(49,448	)	$	(124,339	)
Less: Pro forma stock-based employee compensation cost		(2,550	)		(2,400	)		(2,133	)

Net loss—pro forma	$	(53,713	)	$	(51,848	)	$	(126,472	)

See Note 7 for further discussion of the Company's stock compensation plans.

F-8

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. This statement established rules for the reporting of comprehensive income (loss) and its components. Comprehensive income (loss) reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, and is presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholder's equity.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Ultimate results could differ from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those affecting doubtful accounts, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, and income taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which addresses accounting for special-purpose and variable interest entities and which superseded Interpretation No. 46. The provisions of Interpretation No. 46R are effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2005. Specifically, based upon the Company's analysis, the Company believes that it will be required to consolidate the operations of Advanstar.com effective January 1, 2005.

	2004			2003			2002
	(in thousands of dollars—unaudited)
Pro forma revenue	$	380,471		$	308,962		$	291,836
Pro forma loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(35,445	)		(51,507	)		(32,590	)
Pro forma net loss		(45,188	)		(51,418	)		(99,500	)

F-9

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment" which revises SFAS 123 and supersedes APB 25. This statement establishes standards relating to accounting for transactions in which equity instruments are exchanged for goods or services. Under this statement, the Company must measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based upon the fair value of the award on the date of grant. This cost must be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide the service (usually the vesting period). The Company is required to adopt the provisions of this standard effective January 1, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard. The adoption of this standard will result in an increase in compensation expense and an increase to net loss.

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, which established new standards related to how acquired goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are to be recorded upon their acquisition as well as how they are to be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements.

Effective with the adoption of this standard, the Company no longer amortizes goodwill. Instead, SFAS No. 142 requires acquired goodwill to be periodically evaluated for impairment. Upon adoption of the standard, the Company engaged an appraiser to assist in completing a transitional impairment test for its acquired goodwill using a discounted cash flow model. As a result of the impairment analysis, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $70.9 million in the first quarter of 2002. After minority interest effect of $4.1 million, the net charge was $66.8 million. This charge was attributable to an impairment of the carrying value of goodwill in the Company's trade show operating segment which management believes resulted from a slow-down in the economy and its associated impact on the trade show business. The net charge of $66.8 million was reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. There was no income tax effect associated with this impairment charge.

F-10

On a prospective basis, the Company is required to test acquired goodwill on an annual basis based upon a fair value approach. Additionally, goodwill shall be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

On July 1, 2003 and 2004, the Company engaged an appraiser to assist in completing its annual goodwill impairment test of each of its three reporting units. Based on this valuation, which utilized a discounted cash flow method, there was no impairment of goodwill indicated.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, by operating segment, are as follows:

	Trade Shows and Conferences			Trade Publications			Direct Marketing Products and Other		Totals
	(in thousands of dollars)
Balances at December 31, 2002	$	456,940		$	133,725		$	30,840	$	621,505
Goodwill acquired or finally allocated during the period		(1,017	)		75,685			—		74,668
Goodwill allocated to business disposition		(787	)		(639	)		—		(1,426	)
Foreign currency translation		2,773			1,672			29		4,474

Balances at December 31, 2003		457,909			210,443			30,869		699,221
Goodwill acquired or finally allocated during the period		247			6,272			—		6,519
Goodwill allocated to business disposition		—			(900	)		—		(900	)
Foreign currency translation		2,274			640			2		2,916

Balances at December 31, 2004	$	460,430		$	216,455		$	30,871	$	707,756

Intangible and other assets consist of the following at December 31:

		2004			2003
		(in thousands of dollars)
Trade exhibitor lists		$	155,721		$	155,043
Advertiser lists			60,943			62,303
Subscriber lists			29,145			28,577
Trade names and trademarks			17,996			18,008
Other intangible assets			24,405			21,323
Deferred financing costs			22,258			21,942

			310,468			307,196
Accumulated amortization			(209,294	)		(165,569	)

	Total intangible and other assets, net	$	101,174		$	141,627

F-11

The allocated fair value of intangible assets acquired during 2004 and 2003 was as follows:

	2004		2003
	(in thousands of dollars)
Trade exhibitor lists	$	—	$	—
Advertiser lists		—		24,419
Subscriber lists		789		5,091
Trade names and trademarks		97		17,948
Other intangible assets		1,566		14,752

	$	2,452	$	62,210

Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the next five years is as follows:

	(in thousands of dollars)
2005	$	37,628
2006		27,170
2007		11,412
2008		7,941
2009		3,851

4. Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions

All acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been recorded at their fair values as of the dates of the acquisitions. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill. Results of operations for these acquisitions have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements since their respective dates of acquisition. Any divestiture where the Company has significant continuing involvement is included in continuing operations in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 03-13.

On January 9, 2002, the Company acquired AIIM International Exposition and Conference for approximately $11.9 million in cash.

On October 3, 2002, the Company acquired HT—the Magazine for Healthcare Travel Professionals for approximately $11.1 million in cash.

During 2002, the Company completed two other acquisitions of publishing properties with a cumulative purchase price of $1.0 million in cash.

During 2003, the Company acquired intangible assets, primarily customer relationships, for $0.7 million in cash. The Company also paid an additional $0.5 million contingent purchase price related to its 2002 acquisition of HT—the Magazine for Healthcare Travel Professionals.

On October 1, 2003, the Company purchased a portfolio of healthcare industry magazines and related custom service projects from the Thomson Corporation and its subsidiaries ("Thomson") for $150.7 million, including $136.5 million in cash (including related fees and expenses) and $14.1 million of liabilities assumed.

F-12

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Thomson acquisition at October 1, 2003.

			(in thousands of dollars)
Current assets			$	12,878
Property, plant and equipment				1,233
Intangible assets
	Advertiser lists			23,842
	Subscriber lists			5,091
	Trade names and trademarks			17,948
	Noncompetition agreement			13,591
	Other intangible assets			957
Goodwill				75,110

		Total assets acquired		150,650

Current liabilities				14,111

		Total liabilities assumed		14,111

Net assets acquired			$	136,539

The $61.4 million of intangible assets related to Thomson have a weighted average useful life of approximately nine years. All goodwill acquired is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Current liabilities of $14.1 million were assumed, include approximately $1.0 million of severance costs pursuant to the Company's plan to sever certain employees of Thomson. All affected employees were severed as of December 31, 2003. The remaining balance of accrued severance at December 31, 2004, and 2003 was $0.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. All remaining severance liability, as of December 31, 2004, will be paid in 2005.

On March 8, 2004, the Company purchased a portfolio of pharmaceutical industry conferences and magazines from the Institute of Validation Technology, Inc. ("IVT") for $7.9 million in cash. In addition, the Company will pay additional contingent cash consideration to the former shareholders based on 2004 and 2005 operating results of the acquired assets and their continued employment with the Company. As of December 31, 2004 the Company has accrued $1.5 million based upon 2004 operating results, of which $1.0 million is included in other accrued liabilities and $0.5 million is included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004.

The following are the Company's unaudited pro forma operating results as if the Thomson acquisition had taken place at January 1, 2002. The unaudited pro forma operating results related to all other acquisitions discussed above were immaterial.

	2003			2002
	(in thousands of dollars—unaudited)
Revenue	$	370,163		$	377,117
Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(65,294	)		(66,176	)
Net loss		(62,801	)		(133,086	)

F-13

The unaudited pro forma operating results do not purport to represent what the Company's results of operations actually would have been if the acquisition had occurred as of the date indicated or what such results will be for any future periods.

Divestitures

The results of the following divestitures have been reported in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002. In addition, the assets and liabilities related to these divestitures are reported in discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003.

Art Group

On March 12, 2004, the Company completed the sale of its art industry trade shows and magazines (the "Art Group") for a total selling price of $19.6 million in cash. The portfolio included three trade shows and two publications. The Company recorded a gain on the sale of $1.0 million plus a tax benefit of $2.4 million.

Revenues of the Art Group, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, were for the period from January 1, 2004 to March 12, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were $8.5 million, $10.9 million and $9.6 million, respectively.

SeCA

On August 5, 2004, the Company completed the sale, for a total selling price of $3.1 million in cash, of its 65% ownership in its French joint venture ("SeCA"), which consisted of one trade show. In connection with the sale, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9.4 million, net of minority interest, in the second quarter of 2004. The amount of the impairment charge was determined based upon the excess of the carrying value of the Company's interest in SeCA over the selling price, less the costs incurred by the Company to sell SeCA. This charge is reported separately as a component of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Revenues of SeCA, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, were for the period from January 1, 2004 to August 5, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, were $2.9 million, $4.1 million and $5.7 million.

DMS

On September 8, 2004, the Company sold its German trade show business ("DMS") for $1.7 million in cash. In connection with the sale, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2004. The amount of the impairment charge was determined based upon the excess of the carrying value of DMS over the selling price, less the costs incurred by the Company to sell DMS. This charge is reported as a component of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Revenues of DMS, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, were for the period from January 1, 2004 to September 8, 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were, $0.1 million, $2.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

F-14

The financial results of the Art Group, SeCA and DMS included in the discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2003 are as follows:

	2004			2003			2002
	(in thousands of dollars)
(Loss) income before income taxes (including goodwill impairment charge and gain on sale)	$	(16,559	)	$	2,755		$	987
Income tax (benefit) provision		(1,990	)		2,442			782
Minority interests		4,826			(224	)		(298	)

Net (loss) income		(9,743	)		89			(93	)

The amount of goodwill associated with the businesses to be disposed of was determined based on the relative fair values of the businesses to be disposed of and the portion of the reporting units that will be retained. For businesses to be disposed of that were never integrated into the reporting units, the carrying amount of that acquired goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the businesses to be disposed of.

The Art Group, SeCA and DMS goodwill included in gain/loss on discontinued operations and the goodwill impairment charge included in discontinued operations in the Company's reportable segments for the year ended December 31, 2004 (in thousands) are as follows:

		Trade Shows and Conferences			Trade Publications			Direct Marketing Products and Other			Corporate			Total
Goodwill included in gain on sale of discontinued operations		$	19,287		$	3,346		$	—		$	—		$	22,633
Goodwill impairment included in discontinued operations			20,108			534			—			—			20,642

The goodwill impairment charge of $20.6 million above does not include the effect of minority interest. After minority interest effect of $5.1 million, the net charge was $15.6 million.

F-15

The discontinued operations of the Art Group, SeCA and DMS included in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:

			(in thousands of dollars)
Assets
	Accounts receivable		$	2,221
	Prepaid expenses			1,095

		Total current assets of discontinued operations		3,316
	Property, plant and equipment, net			128
	Goodwill			43,275
	Intangibles and other, net			2,484

		Total non current assets of discontinued operations		45,887
Liabilities
	Accounts payable and other accrued expenses			519
	Deferred revenue			4,428

		Total current liabilities of discontinued operations		4,947
Deferred income taxes				2,404
Minority interests				6,573

	Total long term liabilities of discontinued operations			8,977

		Net assets of discontinued operations	$	35,279

The Art Group, SeCA and DMS assets included in discontinued operations in the Company's reportable segments at December 31, 2003 (in thousands) are as follows:

		Trade Shows and Conferences			Trade Publications			Direct Marketing Products and Other			Corporate			Total
Segment assets		$	45,167		$	3,908		$	—		$	128		$	49,203

F-16

5. Financial Derivative Instruments

The Company periodically uses derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risks. The Company's objectives for holding derivatives are to minimize the risks using the most effective methods to eliminate or reduce the impact of these exposures.

Interest Rate Risk

Variable rate debt instruments are subject to interest rate risk. In 2001 the Company entered into an interest rate collar agreement expiring February 2004, to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on a portion of its variable rate debt obligations. The effective portion of the cumulative gain or loss on interest rate collar agreement is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholder's equity and is recognized in earnings as the underlying interest expense is incurred. The ineffective portion of the interest rate collar and swap agreements is recognized in current earnings. The Company uses a portion of these agreements as hedges of the Company's second priority senior secured floating rate notes described below. Gains and losses on the undesignated portion of these agreements at the end of each fiscal quarter (which are calculated as the net amount payable upon termination at the date of determination) will be recognized in current earnings until expired.

In May 2003 the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement expiring November 2005, and subsequently terminated the agreement in December 2003. The net gain at termination of approximately $0.2 million will continue to be reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and amortized into earnings over the original contract term.

In connection with the Company's private placement of $360 million of second priority senior secured notes in August 2003 and the use of proceeds therefrom to repay and terminate all outstanding term A loans under the credit facility and all but $25.0 million of the outstanding term B loans under its credit facility (Note 6), the Company reclassified approximately $1.8 million of deferred losses previously reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income into other expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company periodically uses forward contracts to manage its exposure associated with forecasted international revenue and expense transactions denominated in euro, British Pound Sterling and Brazilian Real for up to 15 months in the future. Changes in the fair value of these instruments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholder's equity and are recognized in earnings as the underlying revenue is recognized. Forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133 are also used to manage the impact of the variability in exchange rates. Changes in the fair value of these foreign exchange contracts are recognized in current earnings.

At December 31, 2004, the Company had no foreign exchange derivative contracts.

F-17

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the effects of SFAS No. 133 on the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2004 and 2003:

	Interest Rate Collar Agreements			Foreign Exchange Contracts		Total
	(in thousands of dollars)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
balance at December 31, 2002	$	(4,350	)	$	—	$	(4,350	)
Unwound from accumulated other comprehensive
income during the period		5,739			—		5,739
Mark to market hedge contracts		(1,431	)		—		(1,431	)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss balance at December 31, 2003		(42	)		—		(42	)
Unwound from accumulated other comprehensive income during the period		(99	)		—		(99	)
Mark to market hedge contracts		244			—		244

Accumulated other comprehensive income balance at December 31, 2004	$	103		$	—	$	103

At December 31, 2004, the Company will reclassify out of accumulated other comprehensive income approximately $0.1 million of deferred gains into earnings within the next 12 months.

The Company had no derivatives in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004. As of December 31, 2003, the fair value of the Company's derivatives was a net liability position of $1.5 million included in accrued liabilities, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Statement of Operations

The following tables summarize the effects of SFAS No. 133 on the Company's statement of operations related to the ineffective portion of the Company's interest rate collar agreements and changes in the fair value of foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003:

	Interest Rate Collar Agreements		Foreign Exchange Contracts			Total
	(in thousands of dollars)
Year ended December 31, 2004 Other income (expense)	$	1,319	$	71		$	1,390

Total statement of operations impact before taxes	$	1,319	$	71		$	1,390

Year ended December 31, 2003 Other income (expense)	$	1,178	$	(96	)	$	1,082

Total statement of operations impact before taxes	$	1,178	$	(96	)	$	1,082

F-18

6. Debt

Credit Facility

Prior to the August 2003 transactions described below, the credit facility (the "Credit Facility") consisted of (i) $415.0 million of term loans A and B payable in quarterly installments through October 11, 2008, and (ii) $80.0 million of revolving loans availability through April 11, 2007. The Credit Facility contained restrictive covenants, which required the Company to, among other things, maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and maximum quarterly leverage ratio (as defined).

In connection with the Company's private placement in August 2003, described below, the Company repaid all term A loans, all but $25.0 million term B loans, and a portion of the revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Facility. The Company also amended its Credit Facility to reduce the revolving loan availability from $80.0 million to $60.0 million, eliminate the leverage ratio covenant and amend certain other covenants.

Failure to comply with current covenants may cause an event of default under the credit facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are collateralized by substantially all of the Company's assets. At December 31, 2004, the Company had $59.1 million of borrowings available under the Credit Facility.

Senior Secured Notes

On August 18, 2003, the Company issued $360.0 million of second priority senior secured notes (the "August senior secured notes"). On September 25, 2003, the Company issued an additional $70.0 million of second priority senior secured notes (the "September senior secured notes"), which were issued at a premium (together with the August senior secured notes, the "Senior Secured Notes"). The Senior Secured Notes were issued in two tranches: $130.0 million of Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2008, which require quarterly amortization equal to 0.25% of the principal amount thereof (the "floating rate notes"), and $300.0 million of 10.75% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2010. Interest on the floating rate notes is payable at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR, which is reset quarterly, plus 7.5%. Each tranche of the notes is collateralized by second priority liens on substantially all the collateral pledged against borrowings under the Company's Credit Facility (other than the capital stock of certain of its subsidiaries and assets of its parent companies). The notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to incur debt, pay dividends and make investments. The Company entered into a registration rights agreement in connection with the private placement pursuant to which the Company has registered substantially all of the notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The Company used the net proceeds from the August senior secured notes offering to repay and terminate all outstanding term A loans under the Credit Facility and all but $25.0 million of the outstanding term B loans and a portion of its revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Facility. The Company used the net proceeds of the September senior secured notes offering to acquire a portfolio of healthcare industry magazines and related custom service projects from the Thomson Corporation (Note 4).

The Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by the Company's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The financial covenants under the Senior Secured Notes include limitations on certain asset dispositions, payments, debt incurrence, dividends and other restricted payments.

F-19

Senior Subordinated Notes

The Company's $160.0 million unsecured, 12% senior subordinated notes due 2011 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes") require semiannual interest-only payments on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The Senior Subordinated Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis, jointly and severally, by the Company's wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The financial covenants under the Senior Subordinated Notes include limitations on certain asset dispositions, payments, debt incurrence, dividends and other restricted payments.

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31:

	2004			2003
	(in thousands of dollars)
Term loan B, interest at LIBOR plus 4.50%; 6.92% at December 31, 2004, due quarterly through October 11, 2008	$	25,000		$	25,000
Revolving credit loan, interest at LIBOR plus 3.75% due April 11, 2007		—			8,000
Second priority senior secured floating rate notes, interest at LIBOR plus 7.5%, 9.79% at December 31, 2004, due 2008		128,375			129,675
10.75% Second priority senior secured notes, due 2010, plus unamortized premium of $844 and $994 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively		300,844			300,994
12% Senior subordinated notes, due 2011		160,000			160,000
Acquisition note payable, interest at 5.5%, due monthly through 2004		—			2,000
Acquisition note payable, interest at 6%, due April 1, 2004		—			400

		614,219			626,069
Less: Current maturities		(1,300	)		(3,700	)

	$	612,919		$	622,369

Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for debt instruments with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of long-term debt exceeded its carrying value by $49.5 million and $33.2 million at December 31, 2004 and 2003.

Cash paid for interest for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, was approximately $67.2 million, $51.1 million and $49.1 million, respectively.

F-20

Annual maturities of long-term debt for the next five years (excluding amortization of premium) are as follows:

	(in thousands of dollars)
2005	$	1,300
2006		1,300
2007		1,300
2008		149,475
2009		—
Thereafter		460,000

	$	613,375

7. Stockholder's Equity

2000 Management Incentive Plan

On October 12, 2000, Advanstar Holdings Inc. ("Holdings"), the Parent company of Advanstar, Inc., adopted the 2000 Management Incentive Plan. A maximum of 4,047,789 shares of Holdings are authorized for grant to participants under the 2000 Management Incentive Plan. Options are granted by Holdings' board of directors at an exercise price of not less than the fair value of Holdings common stock at the date of grant and vest over a maximum of nine years. Shares available for grant under the 2000 Management Incentive Plan totaled 222,789 at December 31, 2004.

For purposes of computing pro-forma compensation cost of stock options granted, as summarized in Note 2, the fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for the years ended December 31:

	2004	2003	2002
Expected dividend yield	—	—	—
Expected stock price volatility	42.3%	36.0%	37.6%
Risk-free interest rate	3.6%	3.8%	5.0%
Expected life of options	5.0 years	7.0 years	7.0 years

The Company uses comparable public companies in its industry for estimating its expected stock price volatility. The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends in the past. Under terms of the Company's Credit Facility, the Company is prohibited from paying cash dividends without prior approval of the lenders, as defined in the Credit Facility.

F-21

A summary of stock option activity under the Plan and the 2000 Management Incentive Plan is as follows:

	Options Outstanding		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2001	2,925,000		$	10.00
Granted	575,000			10.00
Cancelled	(256,250	)		10.00

Outstanding at December 31, 2002	3,243,750			10.00
Granted	600,000			10.00
Cancelled	—			—

Outstanding at December 31, 2003	3,843,750			10.00
Granted	256,250			10.00
Cancelled	(275,000	)		10.00

Outstanding at December 31, 2004	3,825,000		$	10.00

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the outstanding stock options had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.83 years and 7.6 years, respectively, and an exercise price of $10.00 per option. Of the options outstanding at December 31, 2004 and 2003, 2,230,798 and 1,596,600, respectively, were exercisable. The weighted average fair value of grants, as estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, was $5.24, $5.34 and $5.42 per option, respectively.

8. 401(k) Plan

The Company has a 401(k) savings plan and trust (the "401(k) Plan") available to employees of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries. All domestic employees who have completed one year of service and are at least 21 years of age are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. The Company is required to make a matching contribution to the 401(k) Plan and may also make discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan. Eligible employees are vested 100% in their own contributions. Contributions made by the Company vest in equal installments over five years. Total contribution expense was $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, and $1.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

F-22

9. Income Taxes

The Company's taxable income or loss is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of the Parent. Federal income taxes are paid to or refunded by the Parent pursuant to the terms of a tax-sharing agreement under which taxes approximate the amount that would have been computed on a separate company basis. Taxes payable to the Parent of approximately $6.6 million at December 31, 2004, and 2003 are included in due to Parent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Cash paid for income taxes during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, was approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

The summary of loss from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes, minority interests and accounting change were as follows for the years ended December 31:

	2004			2003			2002
	(in thousands of dollars)
Domestic	$	(27,106	)	$	(39,728	)	$	(72,834	)
Foreign		202			(5,123	)		(679	)

	$	(26,904	)	$	(44,851	)	$	(73,513	)

F-23

The provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of the following for the years ended December 31:

			2004		2003			2002
			(in thousands of dollars)
Current
	Federal		$	—	$	—		$	(820	)
	State			7		—			59
	Foreign			283		(303	)		1,106
Deferred				13,664		4,586			(16,605	)

		Total provision (benefit)	$	13,954	$	4,283		$	(16,260	)

The Company accounts for income taxes following the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of differing amounts that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.

Significant components of the Company's deferred income taxes were as follows at December 31:

			2004			2003
			(in thousands of dollars)
Net current deferred tax asset
	Accounts receivable		$	16,497		$	15,287
	Accrued expenses and other			7,074			4,789
	Prepaid and other			(372	)		(3,196	)

		Total net current deferred tax asset		23,199			16,880
Net noncurrent deferred tax asset
	Property, plant and equipment			710			575
	Identifiable intangible assets			15,996			5,230
	Goodwill			(18,250	)		(4,586	)
	U.S. net operating loss carryforwards			34,222			21,132
	Foreign jurisdiction net operating loss carryforwards			10,744			7,616
	Financial derivatives			(419	)		1,075
	AMT credit carryforwards			453			453

		Total net noncurrent deferred tax asset		43,456			31,495
Valuation allowance				(84,905	)		(52,961	)

Net deferred income tax liabilities			$	(18,250	)	$	(4,586	)

The Company has established a valuation allowance to offset all of the net deferred tax assets. The amortization of goodwill for income tax purposes resulted in the reduction in tax basis of goodwill to a tax effected amount of $18.3 million and $4.6 million less than the carrying value of goodwill for financial reporting purposes at December 31, 2004 and 2003. Because goodwill is not amortized for

F-24

financial reporting purposes, the Company has established a deferred tax liability equal to this basis difference and has increased the valuation allowance by the same amount.

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $114.4 million and $73.7 million, respectfully. Of these losses, approximately $26.9 million and $19.0 million are related to losses generated by the Company's operations in foreign tax jurisdictions whose use are subject to the tax laws of such foreign jurisdictions and will be limited by the ability of such foreign entities to generate taxable income. Of the total operating loss carryforwards, approximately $26.9 million have no expiration date and approximately $87.5 million expire at various dates beginning in 2021.

A reconciliation of the Company's provision (benefit) for income taxes at the federal statutory rate to the reported income tax provision (benefit) is as follows:

							2002
	2004			2003			Income (Loss) Before Tax Provision, Minority Interests, Extraordinary Items, and Accounting Change			Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, Net of Tax and Minority Interest			Total
	(in thousands of dollars)
Income tax benefit at statutory rates	$	(9,417	)	$	(14,734	)	$	(25,384	)	$	(23,386	)	$	(48,770	)
Nondeductible goodwill impairment		—			—			—			9,790			9,790
Change in valuation allowance		24,155			22,901			10,817			15,266			26,083
State taxes, net of federal benefit		(673	)		(1,052	)		(1,813	)		(1,670	)		(3,483	)
Foreign rate differential		213			(568	)		(522	)		—			(522	)
Other, net		(324	)		(2,264	)		642			—			642

Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	13,954		$	4,283		$	(16,260	)	$	—		$	(16,260	)

The change in valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2004 excludes a $7.8 million valuation allowance established to offset foreign jurisdiction net operating loss carryforwards that were also recorded in the year ended December 31, 2004.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company has long-term operating leases for office space and office equipment. The leases generally require the Company to pay maintenance, insurance, taxes and other expenses in addition to minimum annual rentals. Building and equipment rent expense, including an allocation of certain facility operating expenses, was $9.7 million, $7.8 million and $7.4 million for the years ended

F-25

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Future minimum rent commitments under operating leases with initial terms of one year or more are as follows:

	(in thousands of dollars)
2005	$	7,074
2006		6,371
2007		5,130
2008		4,559
2009		3,046
Thereafter		1,729

Litigation

The Company is a defendant in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Based on information presently available, management has determined that the accruals for these routine actions and claims are adequate. Although recorded accruals include management's best estimates, the resolution of these matters and cannot be predicted with certainty. Management believes, however, that it is unlikely that any identified matters, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.

11. Segments

The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, and has three reportable segments: trade shows and conferences, trade publications and direct marketing products and other. The trade show and conference segment allows exhibitors a cost-effective means to showcase and sell products and services while developing business relationships with potential customers. The Company's trade publications segment provides new product and educational information to readers and allows advertisers to reach highly targeted and select business audiences. The direct marketing products and other segment offers customers mailing lists from the Company's subscriber and attendee databases; editorial and advertising reprints; direct mail postcards; and classified, recruitment and industry directory advertising.

The Company evaluates the performance of, and allocates resources to, its segments based on contribution margin—defined as net revenue less cost of production and selling, editorial, and circulation costs (excluding depreciation), which is a non-GAAP measure. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. There are no intersegment sales or transfers. Segment assets are primarily intangible assets,

F-26

prepaid expenses and accounts receivable. Revenues, contribution margins and segment assets of the Company's reportable segments are as follows:

		Trade Shows and Conferences		Trade Publications		Direct Marketing Products and Other		Corporate			Total
		(in thousands of dollars)
Year ended December 31, 2004
	Net revenue	$	151,483	$	206,147	$	20,424	$	—		$	378,054
	Contribution margin (loss)		75,775		59,368		10,774		(6,633	)
	Segment assets		502,663		293,399		33,489		83,386			912,937
Year ended December 31, 2003
	Net revenue		142,063		147,864		16,837		—			306,764
	Contribution margin (loss)		69,215		45,213		7,477		(5,409	)
	Segment assets		563,055		279,792		33,349		110,394			986,590
Year ended December 31, 2002
	Net revenue		145,961		127,385		16,269		—			289,615
	Contribution margin (loss)		76,384		35,538		7,172		(4,823	)
	Segment assets		586,406		183,954		32,599		63,067			866,026

The reconciliation of total segment contribution margin to consolidated loss from continuing operations before taxes, minority interests and cumulative effect of accounting change is as follows for the years ended December 31:

		2004			2003			2002
		(in thousands of dollars)
Total segment contribution margin		$	139,284		$	116,496		$	114,271
General and administrative expense			(43,896	)		(33,382	)		(33,058	)
Restructuring charge			—			(2,692	)		—
Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations			(3,283	)		(1,121	)		(39,587	)
Depreciation and amortization			(49,705	)		(55,144	)		(67,023	)
Other expense (primarily interest)			(69,304	)		(69,008	)		(48,116	)

	Consolidated loss before income taxes, minority interests and cumulative effect of accounting change	$	(26,904	)	$	(44,851	)	$	(73,513	)

F-27

Financial information relating to the Company's continuing operations by geographic area is as follows for the years ended December 31:

	2004		2003		2002
	(in thousands of dollars)
Net Revenue
United States	$	364,257	$	295,699	$	271,123
International		13,797		11,065		18,492

	$	378,054	$	306,764	$	289,615

	2004		2003
	(in thousands of dollars)
Long-Lived Assets
United States	$	793,720	$	826,858
International		39,749		37,748

	$	833,469	$	864,606

12. Restructuring Activities

In September 2003, the Company consolidated its midtown New York leased office space from two floors to one. These actions resulted in a third quarter charge of approximately $2.1 million. In December 2003, the Company consolidated its Chester, U.K. leased office space, resulting in a fourth quarter charge of approximately $0.6 million. These activities included a charge for the present value of future facility rental payments, net of sublease income, of $2.3 million and other relocation costs and expenses of $0.4 million. The Company will continue to pay facility lease costs, net of sublease income, associated with the previously used facilities through August 2015. The balance of the accrual for these costs at December 31, 2004 and 2003 is $1.8 million and $2.4 million which principally represents remaining facility lease costs, of which $0.5 million is included in accrued liabilities at December 31, 2004 and 2003 and $1.3 million and $1.9 million is included in other long-term liabilities at December 31, 2004 and 2003 in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

F-28

13. Relationship with Advanstar.com, Inc.

Advanstar.com, Inc. ("Advanstar.com"), an affiliate of the Company, operates the Company's event and publication-related web sites and develops certain enhanced web opportunities to serve the Company's customers in selected industries. The Company provides Advanstar.com with certain administrative support services and charges for these services based on a general overhead charge. In addition, selected sales, editorial, marketing and production staff of the Company are shared with Advanstar.com. The Company also provides Advanstar.com with marketing and promotional support through advertising pages in its trade publications and exhibit space in its trade shows. In return, Advanstar.com provides support on its web sites for the Company's trade publications and trade shows.

The Company records advances and notes issued in support of Advanstar.com operations as an operating expense on the Company's consolidated statement of operations, as a reflection of the ongoing nature of the operations of Advanstar.com in support of the Company's operations. Net new advances and notes charged to the Company's operations during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, were approximately $3.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively. In May of 2004, the Company made a $1.9 million advance to Advanstar.com to fund the settlement of Advanstar.com's outstanding New York lease obligation. As described in Note 2, the Company expects to begin merge the operations of Advanstar.com with those of the Company, in 2005.

14. Related-Party Transactions

Financial Advisory Fees and Agreements

In 2003, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB"), an affiliate of the DLJ Merchant Banking funds, provided services to the Company in connection with the arrangement and syndication of the Credit Facility and as a lender thereunder. CSFB was an initial purchaser of, the Senior Secured Notes. The Company paid customary financing fees to CSFB for those services. The aggregate amount of all fees paid to the CSFB entities in connection with these financings during 2003 was approximately $10.4 million, including out-of-pocket expenses. This amount has been capitalized as deferred financing costs and is being amortized over the remaining term of the Senior Secured Notes. In addition, CSFB provides financial advisory services to the Company. The Company pays CSFB $0.5 million annually for these services. This amount is expensed as incurred.

F-29

Parent Company Notes

As a part of the financing for the acquisition of the Company by the DLJ Merchant Banking Funds in October 2000 and concurrently with the closing of the offering of the Senior Subordinated Notes in February 2001, the Company's parent, Advanstar, Inc., issued discount notes (the "Discount Notes") with an aggregate principal amount at maturity of $171.8 million. These notes do not require cash interest payments until 2006. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries guaranteed the senior discount notes. Advanstar, Inc., however, is a holding company and its ability to pay interest on these Discount Notes will be dependent upon the receipt of dividends from its subsidiaries, including the Company. The Credit Facility, Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes impose substantial restrictions on the Company's and its subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends.

15. Supplemental Guarantor Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation

The Company's Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis, jointly and severally, by the Company and its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantors are MAGIC and Applied Business teleCommunications. The condensed consolidating financial statements of the guarantors are presented below and should be read in connection with the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Separate financial statements of the guarantors are not presented because the guarantors are jointly, severally, fully, and unconditionally liable under the guarantees and the Company believes the condensed consolidating financial statements presented are sufficiently meaningful in understanding the financial position and results of the guarantors.

There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the subsidiary guarantors to make distributions to the Company.

F-30

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2004

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	33,956		$	—	$	7,267		$	—		$	41,223
	Accounts receivable, net			25,685			—		1,256			—			26,941
	Prepaid expenses			5,646			1,265		1,917			—			8,828
	Other			2,400			—		76			—			2,476
	Current assets of discontinued operations			—			—		—			—			—

		Total current assets		67,687			1,265		10,516			—			79,468
Noncurrent assets
	Property, plant and equipment, net			22,401			1,624		514			—			24,539
	Deferred tax asset			8,438			292		—			(8,730	)		—
	Intangible and other assets, net			493,545			269,500		45,885			—			808,930
	Investments in subsidiaries			514,479			—		10,421			(524,900	)		—
	Intercompany receivable			—			228,779		(4,274	)		(224,505	)		—
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations			—			—		—			—			—

			$	1,106,550		$	501,460	$	63,062		$	(758,135	)	$	912,937

Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
Current liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt		$	1,300		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	1,300
	Accounts payable			11,580			699		1,661			—			13,940
	Accrued liabilities			34,424			7,275		1,054			—			42,753
	Deferred revenue			32,456			15,554		4,346			—			52,356
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations			—			—		—			—			—

		Total current liabilities		79,760			23,528		7,061			—			110,349
Long-term debt, net of current maturities				612,919			—		—			—			612,919
Deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities				22,224			8,730		303			(8,730	)		22,527
Intercompany payable				224,505			—		—			(224,505	)		—
Due to parent				2,698			—		—			—			2,698
Minority interests				3,579			—		—			—			3,579
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations				—			—		—			—			—
Stockholder's equity
	Common stock			10			3		959			(962	)		10
	Capital in excess of par value			447,367			438,117		86,882			(524,999	)		447,367
	(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings			(292,757	)		31,082		(38,286	)		7,204			(292,757	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			6,245			—		6,143			(6,143	)		6,245

		Total stockholder's equity		160,865			469,202		55,698			(524,900	)		160,865

			$	1,106,550		$	501,460	$	63,062		$	(758,135	)	$	912,937

F-31

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2004

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Net revenue			$	290,902		$	68,356		$	18,796		$	—		$	378,054
Operating expenses
	Cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation			199,487			25,318			13,965			—			238,770
	General and administrative, including—restructuring			39,185			1,750			2,961			—			43,896
	Funding of affiliated company operations			3,283			—			—			—			3,283
	Depreciation and amortization			34,369			13,967			1,369			—			49,705

		Total operating expenses		276,324			41,035			18,295			—			335,654

		Operating income		14,578			27,321			501			—			42,400
Other income (expense)
	Interest expense, net			(70,508	)		—			405			—			(70,103	)
	Other income (expense), net			425			(49	)		423			—			799

		(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests, and cumulative effect of accounting change		(55,505	)		27,272			1,329			—			(26,904	)
Provision for income taxes				3,478			10,206			270			—			13,954
Minority interests				(562	)		—			—			—			(562	)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries				1,619			—			—			(1,619	)		—

		(Loss) income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(57,926	)		17,066			1,059			(1,619	)		(41,420	)
Discontinued operations
	Income (loss) from operations of discontinued business			6,763			—			(16,506	)		—			(9,743	)

		(Loss) income from operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(51,163	)		17,066			(15,447	)		(1,619	)		(51,163	)
Cumulative effect of accounting change				—			—			—			—			—

Net (loss) income			$	(51,163	)	$	17,066		$	(15,447	)	$	(1,619	)	$	(51,163	)

F-32

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2004

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income			$	(51,163	)	$	17,066		$	(15,447	)	$	(1,619	)	$	(51,163	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries			(1,619	)		—			—			1,619			—
	Gain on derivative financial instruments			(1,391	)		—			—			—			(1,391	)
	Provision for notes and advances from affiliated dot.com company			—			—			—			—			—
	Impairment of goodwill			—			—			15,570			—			15,570
	Deferred income taxes			16,346			(5,086	)		—			—			11,260
	Depreciation and amortization			34,131			13,967			1,870			—			49,968
	Other noncash items			3,331			113			75			—			3,519
	Change in working capital items			20,140			(23,151	)		(6,466	)		—			(9,477	)

		Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		19,775			2,909			(4,398	)		—			18,286

Cash flows from investing activities
	Additions to property, plant and equipment			(7,418	)		(1,309	)		(254	)		—			(8,981	)
	Acquisitions of publications and trade shows, net			(7,915	)											(7,915	)
	Proceeds from sale of assets and other			20,343			(1,600	)		3,755			—			22,498

		Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		5,010			(2,909	)		3,501			—			5,602

Cash flows from financing activities
Payments of long-term debt, net				(11,700	)		—			—			—			(11,700	)
Dividends paid to minority interest holders				(500	)		—			—			—			(500	)
Contribution of capital from parent				—			—			—			—			—
Deferred financing costs				(315	)		—			—			—			(315	)

		Net cash used in financing activities		(12,515	)		—			—			—			(12,515	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash				118			—			458			—			576

		Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		12,388			—			(439	)		—			11,949
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year				21,568			—			7,706			—			29,274

End of year			$	33,956		$	—		$	7,267		$	—		$	41,223

F-33

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2003

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	21,568		$	—	$	7,706		$	—		$	29,274
	Accounts receivable, net			30,256			—		3,588			—			33,844
	Prepaid expenses			4,626			1,547		1,719			—			7,892
	Other			1,718			—		53			—			1,771
	Current assets of discontinued operations			1,047			—		2,269			—			3,316

		Total current assets		59,215			1,547		15,335			—			76,097
Noncurrent assets
	Property, plant and equipment, net			22,406			850		502			—			23,758
	Deferred tax asset			13,524			35		—			(13,559	)		—
	Intangible and other assets, net			515,599			281,321		43,928						840,848
	Investments in subsidiaries			518,214					27,792			(546,006	)		—
	Intercompany receivable			3			208,188		(8,952	)		(199,239	)		—
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations			18,451			—		27,436			—			45,887

			$	1,147,412		$	491,941	$	106,041		$	(758,804	)	$	986,590

Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
Current liabilities
	Current maturities of long-term debt		$	3,700		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	3,700
	Accounts payable			16,010			2,738		3,083			—			21,831
	Accrued liabilities			30,792			6,554		4,580			—			41,926
	Deferred revenue			37,124			16,954		2,392			—			56,470
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations			4,198			—		749			—			4,947

		Total current liabilities		91,824			26,246		10,804			—			128,874
Long-term debt, net of current maturities				622,369			—		—			—			622,369
Deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities				9,613			13,559		295			(13,559	)		9,908
Intercompany payable				199,239			—		—			(199,239	)		—
Due to parent				3,650			—		—			—			3,650
Minority interests				9,017			—		(5,501	)		—			3,516
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations				2,404			—		6,573			—			8,977
Stockholder's equity
	Common stock			10			3		950			(953	)		10
	Capital in excess of par value			447,367			438,117		112,204			(550,321	)		447,367
	(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings			(241,594	)		14,016		(22,839	)		8,823			(241,594	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			3,513					3,555			(3,555	)		3,513

		Total stockholder's equity		209,296			452,136		93,870			(546,006	)		209,296

			$	1,147,412		$	491,941	$	106,041		$	(758,804	)	$	986,590

F-34

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2003

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Net revenue			$	219,885		$	64,725	$	22,154		$	—		$	306,764
Operating expenses
	Cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation			145,363			25,343		19,562			—			190,268
	General and administrative, including restructuring			31,271			1,313		3,490			—			36,074
	Funding of affiliated company operations			1,121			—		—			—			1,121
	Depreciation and amortization			32,781			20,492		1,871			—			55,144

		Total operating expenses		210,536			47,148		24,923			—			282,607

		Operating income (loss)		9,349			17,577		(2,769	)		—			24,157
Other income (expense)
	Interest expense, net			(58,590	)		—		741			—			(57,849	)
	Other income, net			(8,871	)		—		(2,288	)		—			(11,159	)

		(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests, and cumulative effect of accounting change		(58,112	)		17,577		(4,316	)		—			(44,851	)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes				(1,837	)		6,427		(307	)		—			4,283
Minority interests				(403	)		—		—			—			(403	)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries				7,492			—		—			(7,492	)		—

		(Loss) income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(49,186	)		11,150		(4,009	)		(7,492	)		(49,537	)
Discontinued operations
	(Loss) income from operations of discontinued business			(262	)		—		351			—			89

		(Loss) income from operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(49,448	)		11,150		(3,658	)		(7,492	)		(49,448	)
Cumulative effect of accounting change				—			—		—			—			—

Net (loss) income			$	(49,448	)	$	11,150	$	(3,658	)	$	(7,492	)	$	(49,448	)

F-35

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2003

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income			$	(49,448	)	$	11,150		$	(3,658	)	$	(7,492	)	$	(49,448	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries			(7,492	)		—			—			7,492			—
	Gain on derivative financial instruments			(772	)		—			—			—			(772	)
	Provision for notes and advances from affiliated dot.com company			—			—			—			—			—
	Transition goodwill impairment			—			—			—			—			—
	Deferred income taxes			14,779			(7,554	)		(235	)		—			6,990
	Depreciation and amortization			33,788			20,492			2,323			—			56,603
	Other noncash items			15,940			72			541			—			16,553
	Change in working capital items			36,797			(23,772	)		2,897			—			15,922

		Net cash provided by operating activities		43,592			388			1,868			—			45,848

Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment				(7,054	)		(388	)		(166	)		—			(7,608	)
Acquisitions of publications and trade shows, net of proceeds				(137,712	)		—			(13	)		—			(137,725	)

		Net cash used in investing activities		(144,766	)		(388	)		(179	)		—			(145,333	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Payments of long-term debt, net				68,425			—			—			—			68,425
Dividends paid to minority interest holders				(1,000	)		—			(227	)		—			(1,227	)
Contribution of capital from parent				60,000			—			—			—			60,000
Deferred financing costs				(16,962	)		—			—			—			(16,962	)

		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		110,463			—			(227	)		—			110,236

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash				(3	)		—			(404	)		—			(407	)

		Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		9,286			—			1,058			—			10,344
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year				12,282			—			6,648			—			18,930

End of year			$	21,568		$	—		$	7,706		$	—		$	29,274

F-36

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2002

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations		Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Net revenue			$	199,037		$	64,364		$	26,214		$	—	$	289,615
Operating expenses
	Cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation			131,144			22,411			21,789			—		175,344
	General and administrative, including restructuring			28,228			1,224			3,606			—		33,058
	Funding of affiliated company operations			39,587			—			—			—		39,587
	Depreciation and amortization			35,146			28,770			3,107			—		67,023

		Total operating expenses		234,105			52,405			28,502			—		315,012

		Operating (loss) income		(35,068	)		11,959			(2,288	)		—		(25,397	)
Other income (expense)
	Interest expense, net			(50,849	)		—			(198	)		—		(51,047	)
	Other income, net			953			—			1,978			—		2,931

		(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests, and cumulative effect of accounting change		(84,964	)		11,959			(508	)		—		(73,513	)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes				(21,848	)		4,487			1,101			—		(16,260	)
Minority interests				(176	)		—			—			—		(176	)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries				(9,284	)		—			—			9,284		—

		(Loss) income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(72,576	)		7,472			(1,609	)		9,284		(57,429	)
Discontinued operations
	Income (loss) from operations of discontinued business			465			—			(558	)		—		(93	)

		(Loss) income from operations before cumulative effect of accounting change		(72,111	)		7,472			(2,167	)		9,284		(57,522	)
Cumulative effect of accounting change				(52,228	)		(10,501	)		(4,088	)		—		(66,817	)

Net (loss) income			$	(124,339	)	$	(3,029	)	$	(6,255	)	$	9,284	$	(124,339	)

F-37

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2002

			Communications			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Nonguarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated Total
			(in thousands of dollars)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income			$	(124,339	)	$	(3,029	)	$	(6,255	)	$	9,284		$	(124,339	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries			9,284			—			—			(9,284	)		—
	Gain on derivative financial instruments			(1,236	)		—			—			—			(1,236	)
	Provision for notes and advances from affiliated dot.com company			37,192			—			—			—			37,192
	Transition goodwill impairment			52,228			10,501			4,088			—			66,817
	Deferred income taxes			(20,788	)		4,306			(123	)		—			(16,605	)
	Depreciation and amortization			36,703			28,770			3,659			—			69,132
	Other noncash items			4,527			—			306			—			4,833
	Change in working capital items			29,713			(40,304	)		(928	)		—			(11,519	)

		Net cash provided by operating activities		23,284			244			747			—			24,275

Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment				(6,602	)		(244	)		(370	)		—			(7,216	)
Acquisitions of publications and trade shows, net of proceeds				(23,424	)		—			(515	)		—			(23,939	)

		Net cash used in investing activities		(30,026	)		(244	)		(885	)		—			(31,155	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Payments of long-term debt, net				(13,100	)		—			—			—			(13,100	)
Dividends paid to minority interest holders				—			—			(503	)		—			(503	)
Deferred financing costs				(1,785	)		—			—			—			(1,785	)

		Net cash used in financing activities		(14,885	)		—			(503	)		—			(15,388	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash				3			—			(3,441	)		—			(3,438	)

		Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(21,624	)		—			(4,082	)		—			(25,706	)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year				33,906			—			10,730			—			44,636

End of year			$	12,282		$	—		$	6,648		$	—		$	18,930

F-38

2. Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

Advanstar Communications Inc.
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

			Balance at Beginning of Period		Charged to Costs and Expenses		Charged to Other Accounts		Deductions(1)		Balance End of Period
					Additions
Allowance for doubtful accounts
	Year Ended December 31,
		2004	$	842,000	$	790,000	$	—	$	834,000	$	798,000
		2003		865,000		582,000		—		605,000		842,000
		2002		942,000		1,335,000		—		1,412,000		865,000

(1): Uncollectible accounts written off.

All other financial schedule are omitted because they are not applicable or the information is included in the financial statements or related notes.

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3. Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Document
2.1		Asset Purchase Agreement among Thomson Healthcare Inc., Global Information Licensing Corporation and Advanstar Communications Inc. dated as of August 22, 2003 (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-109648) and incorporated by reference herein)
2.1.1		Amendment No. 1 dated October 1, 2003 to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of August 22, 2003 among Thomson Healthcare Inc., Global Information Licensing Corporation and Advanstar Communications Inc. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-109648) and incorporated by reference herein)
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of Advanstar Communications Inc. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (333-57201) and incorporated by reference herein)
3.1.1		Certificate of Amendment of the Certificates of Incorporation of Advanstar Communications Inc. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000 and incorporated by reference herein)
3.2		Amended and Restated By-Laws of Advanstar Communications Inc. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein)
4.1		Indenture, dated as of February 21, 2001 among Advanstar Communications Inc., the Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000 and incorporated by reference herein)
4.2		Indenture, dated as of August 18, 2003 among Advanstar Communications Inc., the Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-59284) and incorporated by reference herein)
4.3		Intercreditor Agreement dated as of August 18, 2003 among Advanstar Communications Inc., Fleet National Bank, Credit Suisse First Boston and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota N.A. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement (333-109648) and incorporated by reference herein)
		The Company has not filed certain debt instruments with respect to long-term debt that does not exceed ten percent of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the Commission upon request.
10.1		Advanstar Holdings Corp. 2000 Management Plan Incentive dated as of October 11, 2000 (as amended September 17, 2002 and December 10, 2002) (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2002 and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.1.1		Form of Award Agreement under Advanstar Holdings Corp. 2000 Management Incentive Plan (filed as an exhibit to Advanstar, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated by reference herein)+
10.2		Advanstar Holdings Corp. Shareholders Agreement dated as of October 11, 2000 (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000 and incorporated by reference herein)
10.2.1		First Amendment and Waiver to Shareholders' Agreement dated as of February 21, 2001 (Previously filed as an Exhibit to Advanstar Communications' Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-59284) and incorporated by reference herein)

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10.2.2		Second Amendment and Waiver to Stockholders' Agreement dated as of April 4, 2001 (Previously filed as an Exhibit to Advanstar Communications' Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-59284) and incorporated by reference herein)
10.3		Credit Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2000, as amended and restated November 7, 2000, among, Advanstar Communications Inc., the guarantors party thereto and the lenders party thereto (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000 and incorporated by reference herein)
10.3.1		First amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2002 (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2001 and incorporated by reference herein)
10.3.2		Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March 28, 2003 (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein)
10.3.3		Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2003 (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-59284) and incorporated by reference herein)
10.4		Compensation Agreement, effective October 1, 2004, between Advanstar Holdings Corp. and James A. Finkelstein. (Filed as an exhibit to Advanstar, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.5		Employment Agreement, dated August 14, 2000, between Advanstar, Inc. and James M. Alic. (Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q of Advanstar, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2000, and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.5.1		Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective March 1, 2002, between Advanstar, Inc. and James M. Alic (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2001 and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.5.2		Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective September 15, 2005, between Advanstar, Inc. and James M. Alic (Filed as an exhibit to Advanstar, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.6		Employees' 401(k) Plan and Trust, as amended. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (333-57201) and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.7		Agreement, dated July 31, 1997, between Advanstar Communications Inc. and Banta Publications. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-57201) and incorporated by reference herein)
10.8		Employment Agreement dated November 21, 2003 between Advanstar, Inc. and Joseph Loggia (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.'s Registration Statement (333-109648) and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.9		Direct Investment Plan dated as of October 11, 2000 (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2001 and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.10		Advisory Agreement, effective December 10, 2002, between Advanstar, Inc. and Douglas B. Fox (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2002 and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.11		Letter, dated February 7, 1994, between the Company and David W. Montgomery (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for 2002 and incorporated by reference herein) +

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10.12		Agreement, dated February 19, 1999, by and among Advanstar, Inc., Advanstar Communications Inc. and Eric I. Lisman (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for 2002 and incorporated by reference herein) +
10.13		Award Agreement, effective October 1, 2004 between Advanstar Holdings Corp. and James A. Finkelstein (Filed as an exhibit to Advanstar, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004 and incorporated by reference herein) +
12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges *
21.1		Subsidiaries of Advanstar Communications, Inc. (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2000 and incorporated by reference herein)
31.1		Certification by Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
31.2		Certification by Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of the United States Code*
32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of the United States Code*

*: Filed herewith
+: Denotes management contract or compensatory plan

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC.
		By:	/s/ DAVID W. MONTGOMERY Name: David W. Montgomery Title: Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer
			Date: March 29, 2005

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, in the capacities indicated, on the dates indicated below.

Signature	Title	Date

/s/ JAMES M. ALIC James M. Alic	Chairman of the Board and Director	March 29, 2005
/s/ JOSEPH LOGGIA Joseph Loggia	Chief Executive Officer and Director	March 29, 2005
/s/ DAVID W. MONTGOMERY David W. Montgomery	Vice President—Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer	March 29, 2005
/s/ OHSANG KWON OhSang Kwon	Director	March 28, 2005
/s/ DOUGLAS B. FOX Douglas B. Fox	Director	March 24, 2005
/s/ CHARLES PIEPER Charles Pieper	Director	March 29, 2005
/s/ JAMES FINKELSTEIN James Finkelstein	Director	March 29, 2005

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