10-K 1 a06-7739_110k.htm QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(D)

 

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, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

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.)

 

 

 

641 Lexington Avenue , New York, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

10022
(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 if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule of the Securities Act. Yes   o No   ý.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes   o No   ý.

 

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.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   o No   ý.

 

As of June 30, 2005, none of the registrant’s common stock was held by non-affiliates of the registrant.

 

As of March 30, 2006, the registrant had 1,000,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

None.

 

 



 

PART I

 

Item I — BUSINESS

 

Unless otherwise noted herein, disclosures in this Annual Report on Form 10-K relate only to our continuing operations. Our discontinued operations consist of properties sold and discontinued. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations –Presentation of Financial Information–Acquisitions and Divestitures” for further information on discontinued properties.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

THIS ANNUAL REPORT, OTHER REPORTS, AND COMMUNICATIONS TO SECURITY HOLDERS, 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 REVENUE, 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 “RISK FACTORS,” 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.

 

                                          Tradeshows: We rank our tradeshows against the tradeshows of our competitors based on an internally conducted analysis of net square footage of exhibition space. This data is typically

 

1



 

reported by tradeshow organizers and published in the Tradeshow Week Quarterly Report, a quarterly publication that lists tradeshows grouped by show date. We include both direct and indirect competitors in such comparisons. Direct competitors are the tradeshows within the same industrial classification code and geographic region as our tradeshows, although we only include tradeshows within the same industrial classification code that are within the same subcategory, as defined by us, as our tradeshows. For example, we only include women’s apparel shows in providing data about our women’s apparel tradeshows, 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 tradeshow is held. Indirect competitors are subjectively determined by us on a case-by-case basis. These indirect competitors include: (1) broad-based tradeshows we know from prior experience that display, among other products, products displayed at our tradeshows and (2) tradeshows identified by our current exhibitors as other tradeshows 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 tradeshow. Some of our tradeshows 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 media company providing integrated marketing solutions for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing firms. Our products and services are targeted for specific industry sectors through shows and conferences, and controlled circulation trade, business and professional magazines. We also produce a limited number of consumer expositions and publications. Additionally, we provide a broad range of direct marketing products, including classified advertising, direct mail services, reprints, database marketing, directories, guides and reference books. Our electronic based products include web advertising, classified and recruitment advertising, e-newsletters, web based continuing medical education (“CME”), webinars and others. In 2005, most of our tradeshows and stand-alone conferences were among the leading events in their respective markets based on square footage. For the year ended December 31, 2005,73% of our 40 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 1,000 employees as of December 31, 2005 in 14 U.S. offices and 2 international locations in the United Kingdom.

 

Industry Overview

 

B-to-B media companies provide marketing solutions for their customers through tradeshows and conferences, trade publications, ancillary direct marketing services and through electronic applications. Tradeshows 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. Tradeshows 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. Tradeshow attendees include executives, manufacturing and operating management, sales and marketing personnel, industry analysts, middle-level managers, buyers and other industry professionals. 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 revenue.

 

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According to the May 2005 Veronis Suhler Stevenson Communications Industry Forecast, total spending on B-to-B marketing, including magazines and tradeshows, was expected to increase to $22.1 billion in 2005, a 6% gain over 2004.

 

Total business-to-business media spending was essentially flat from 1999 to 2004 with the economic slowdown resulting in spending declines in 2001 and 2002, and a slow recovery in 2003, and more robust growth in 2004. Overall business-to-business media expenditures climbed 5.2% to $20.9 billion in 2004, driven by surging e-media spending, which grew 25.9% to $1.5 billion. Tradeshow expenditures increased 5.8% to $9.2 billion. The solid growth in e-media and tradeshows was tempered by a more modest 2.2% expansion in business-to-business magazine spending, which totaled $10.3 billion in 2004.

 

Total spending on tradeshows, including expenditures on exhibit space and fees, sponsorships and advertising grew 5.8% to $9.2 billion in 2004, driven by healthy corporate profits and increased business-related travel. Healthcare-related shows were the most profitable due to an upswing in CME. In the first half of 2005 many corporations reported that they were increasing funding for business-related travel and Veronis Suhler believes this will drive tradeshow expenditures up by 6.1% to $9.7 billion in 2005.

 

Spending on tradeshows is expected to rise 5.8% on a compound annual basis from 2004 to 2009, driven by a 6.8% rise in fees, sponsorships and advertising and a 5.4% gain in total exhibit space spending. Overall spending is expected to reach $12.1 billion in 2009. As measured by Tradeshow Week, the nine months ended September 30, 2005 saw an increase in two of the three primary tradeshow indicators: square footage grew by 4.1%, and attendance by 0.6%. The third indicator, the number of exhibiting companies, declined by 2.9%.

 

Total spending on business-to-business magazines, including advertising and subscriptions, increased 2.2% to $10.3 billion in 2004. Advertising expenditures rose 3.4% to $8.4 billion due to healthy growth among healthcare, banking, automotive, home design and furnishing titles. Circulation spending dropped for the fourth consecutive year driven down by a 3.4% decline in paid circulation. Total magazine expenditures are anticipated to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.3% from 2004 to 2009, reaching $12.1 billion in 2009.

 

According to Veronis Suhler Stevenson, overall business-to-business media spending is expected to accelerate in 2005, fueled by solid gains in tradeshow and a double-digit increase in e-media spending. Growth in business-to-business magazine expenditures will be modest, as falling circulation spending offset gains in advertising spending. Total business-to-business media spending growth is expected to match GDP expansion in 2005 for the first time since 2000. Total spending on business-to-business media is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% from 2004 to 2009, reaching $27.7 billion in 2009. Industry-wide advertising pages, as measured by American Business Media, increased 3.9% in 2005 from 2004 levels following a 1.7% increase 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 marketing products and services to reach their existing and prospective buyers on a cost-effective basis. Our product and service offerings are shows and conferences, 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.

 

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Shows and Conferences

 

As of December 31, 2005, we owned and managed 29 shows and 50 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. Four of our largest shows are listed in the April 2005 issue of Tradeshow Week 200’s list of the top 200 tradeshows as measured by total square footage. These included MAGIC Spring, MAGIC Fall, International Powersports Dealer Expo and Licensing International. Collectively, these four shows represented 2.3 million of the 3.9 million total square footage for all of our shows for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Our show and conference revenue is derived primarily from the sale of show floor space to exhibitors, show-specific advertising, sponsorships and conferences. Show and conference revenue accounted for approximately 42%, 40% and 47% of our revenue in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.

 

Shows are a long-established effective forum to conduct business. As new products and services are introduced, buyers and sellers within specific industries need efficient settings to interact and conduct business. Shows can also include conference programs, which provide additional learning and presentation opportunities.

 

Publications

 

We are a leading B-to-B trade publisher in the United States. As of December 31, 2005, we published 50 specialized business magazines and professional journals, 7 directories, one consumer magazine, CME products, custom publishing and other projects. Of our 40 magazines and journals for which competitive data is available, 73% ranked either #1 or #2 in their respective markets, based on the number of advertising pages in the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Our trade publications are generally distributed free-of-charge to targeted, qualified, professional recipients and generate revenue predominantly from advertising. Publications revenue accounted for approximately 51%, 55% and 47% of our total revenue in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Our largest publications based on ad pages include:  Medical Economics, Pharmaceutical Technology, LCGC, Dealernews, Dental Products Report, Pharmaceutical Executive, Drug Topics, Motor Age, Auto Body Repair News, and Dermatology Times. Collectively, these 10 magazines represented 47% of publication pages for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

We believe that our targeted circulation lists for our U.S. and international publications provide our advertising customers with a highly cost-effective method of reaching their target market’s decision-makers. We seek to increase advertising revenue by introducing existing advertisers to new titles, by attracting new advertisers who target our readership and by developing new reader and advertising categories.

 

Direct Marketing Products and Other

 

We provide a comprehensive set of marketing products, services and support geared to a variety of industries’ marketing customer and communications needs. These services include direct mail and database marketing programs, reprint services, reference books and other services to facilitate our clients’ marketing programs. These services are incremental to shows and publications and are utilized either independently or to supplement our customer’s show and publication marketing plans.

 

In addition, we provide electronic based products and services to complement our delivery of show, publishing and direct marketing products to our customers. We have 129 electronic based products including web advertising, e-newsletters, education and “webinars.”   Direct marketing products and other accounted for approximately 7%, 5% and 6% of our revenue in 2005, 2004 and 2003.

 

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Industry Sectors

 

We also approach our business by targeting specific industries in North America and Europe and structuring our organization and product portfolio based on these three “core market” sectors: Fashion and Licensing; Powersports and Automotive; and Life Sciences. We believe that by focusing on market sectors in addition to product segments, we better identify and service a broad array of our customers’ marketing needs. This focus allows us to cross-sell our products and services and captures a larger share of our customers’ marketing budgets. In each of the markets we serve many of our customers advertise in our publications, exhibit at our shows and use our direct marketing products to reach their target audience. We have expanded our show, conference and publication offerings within each market sector through new product introductions and selective acquisitions, which we believe maximize our existing marketing and customer service infrastructure and industry expertise.

 

Business Strategy

 

Our business strategy is to provide products and services to facilitate “Connecting our Customers to Theirs.”    Our objective is to concentrate on our strategy to achieve sustainable, profitable, long-term growth. We will accomplish this by (1) focusing on markets where we can leverage our strengths, (2) delivering innovative, quality products based on customer and market needs and (3) maximizing our operational efficiencies.

 

Focus On Markets and Customers Where We Can Leverage Our Strengths

 

We focus on owning and building leading product position businesses that are the important sources of information for businesses and professionals in large, dynamic or growing markets. The combination of our selected markets, our leading products and focused industry teams provides strategic and operational clarity along with deep insight into well defined customer segments within each selected market.

 

Deliver Innovative, Quality Products Based On Customer and Market Needs

 

We diversify our revenue streams by developing products that provide solutions along an industry’s “communications supply chain.”  We seek to identify specific gaps in existing markets or opportunities in adjacent markets where we can effectively add value. We are able to address evolving market needs through multiple means, including:

 

                                          adapt existing shows and magazines to reflect industry trends and attract new categories of buyers and sellers;

 

                                          develop new product extensions based on the marketing needs of the industry and key customers in the buying and selling community; and

 

                                          identify fill-in acquisition and joint venture opportunities based on continuing interaction within the market.

 

Maximize Operating Efficiencies

 

We operate effective back office production and Company support operations. We strive to continuously improve our effectiveness through the employment of state of the art information systems to maximize operating efficiencies and provide relevant, timely, fact based management information to our operating teams and senior management. Our operating teams are evaluated based on extensive use of defined operating metrics designed to focus attention and behavior on key drivers of performance success.

 

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Selective Acquisitions

 

As we expand deeper into our current industry sectors, we explore selective acquisitions and joint ventures based on the following criteria:

 

                                          the acquisition significantly improves our existing product and franchise position;

 

                                          the acquisition adds new and sustainable types of revenue streams to our existing product offerings; and

 

                                          the acquisition adds to, broadens or deepens existing management talent.

 

In 2005, we purchased five tradeshows and consumer event businesses in the fashion and powersports sectors. See “Item 7. –Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Presentation of Financial Information–Acquisitions and Divestitures.”  We are engaged in ongoing evaluations of potential acquisitions in line with our business strategy.

 

Industry Sectors

 

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

 

Fashion & Licensing

 

Our Fashion group serves the men’s, women’s, children’s and product sourcing sections of the apparel industry. In 2005, we operated in the fashion industry sectors through 9 tradeshows, including our recently acquired POOL and Project groups of events. Six of these tradeshows are held concurrently in Las Vegas during February and August of each year. In 2005 we shut down our East Coast Fashion properties. The tradeshows count and net square footage in the table below do not include any of the East Coast Fashion events held in 2005. Our Licensing group includes a portfolio of products including two tradeshows, two conferences, and two publications.

 

Key shows and publications include:

 

                  MAGIC, the world’s largest and most widely recognized tradeshow for the men’s apparel, accessories, and footwear industry;

 

                  WWDMAGIC, which we believe is the largest women’s apparel and accessory tradeshow in the United States;

 

                  MAGICKids, which serves the children’s apparel, accessory, and footwear industry;

 

                  Sourcing at MAGIC, which we believe is the largest industry trade event for manufacturing sourcing within the fashion industry, including full-package contractors, fabric and component suppliers;

 

                  Project, a tradeshow for the premium contemporary market for menswear including premium sportswear and denim apparel and accessories from around the world;

 

                  POOL, a tradeshow for the fashion forward designers featuring a range of products including apparel, shoes, books, home furnishings, art and music; and

 

                  Licensing International, which we believe is the largest tradeshow worldwide for the merchandise licensing industry, Brand License, our complementary event for the European licensing industry and License!, the #1 publication in the United States for the licensing industry.

 

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The following table sets forth information relating to shows, conferences and publications in our Fashion and Licensing sector in the year ended December 31, 2005:

 

Fashion and Licensing Events and Magazines

 

 

 

Exhibitions

 

Conferences

 

Electronic Products

 

Magazines (1)

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

Net Square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

our magazines ranked

 

Sector

 

Number

 

Footage

 

Number

 

Number

 

Number

 

Ad Pages

 

#1 or #2 (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mens (includes POOL & Project)

 

4

 

1,451,130

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

Womens

 

2

 

478,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

Childrens

 

2

 

45,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sourcing

 

1

 

67,600

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Licensing

 

2

 

229,763

 

2

 

8

 

2

 

720

 

2 of 2

 

 


(1)                                  Excludes directories.

(2)                                  Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Powersports and Automotive

 

We serve the Powersports and Automotive sector through 17 shows and 7 publications for both trade and consumer audiences for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Key shows and publications include:

 

                                          International Powersports Dealer Expo, the largest aftermarket accessories tradeshow 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;

 

                                          Motor Age, the #1 publication for the automotive service repair market, and Aftermarket Business, the #2 aftermarket book in the United States, which provide Advanstar an important position in the automotive parts, supplies and services publishing market;

 

                                          DIRTsports, a consumer magazine covering the off-road racing and motorsports market and Off-Road Business, the only publication exclusively serving the business-to-business component of the off-road marketplace; and

 

                                          Off-Road Expo, acquired in late 2005, the largest off-road products consumer show in the United States, directed to enthusiasts involved in motorsports, rock crawling, dirtbikes, ATVs and other off-road and trail activities.

 

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The following table sets forth information relating to shows, conferences and magazines in our Powersports and Automotive sector in the year ended December 31, 2005:

 

Powersports and Automotive Events and Magazines

 

 

 

Exhibitions

 

Conferences

 

Electronic Products

 

Magazines (1)

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

Net Square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

our magazines ranked

 

Sector

 

Number

 

Footage

 

Number

 

Number

 

Number

 

Ad Pages

 

#1 or #2 (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive Aftermarket

 

 

 

 

6

 

3

 

2,868

 

3 of 3

 

Powersports/Motorcycle

 

15

 

1,373,984

 

 

19

 

2

 

1,307

 

1 of 1

 

Off-Road

 

2

 

177,600

 

 

4

 

2

 

698

 

2 of 2

 

 


(1)                                  Excludes directories.

(2)                                  Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Life Sciences

 

We serve the Life Sciences sector by dividing our teams and product portfolio into four sub-groups: Healthcare, Pharmaceutical/Science, Dental and Veterinary, providing one tradeshow, 48 conferences and 42 publications for the year ended December 31, 2005. We serve the healthcare group in both the primary and specialized care areas, such as practice management and managed healthcare, pharmacy, pediatrics, geriatrics, dermatology, and ophthalmology; the pharmaceutical and science group in areas such as spectroscopy, liquid and gas chromatography, and research, development, testing, regulatory compliance, manufacturing and marketing; the dental group in general and specialty dentistry; and the veterinary group in practice management and clinical medicine. We sold our Abilities tradeshows, previously included in the healthcare sector, to Questex Media Group, Inc. in May 2005. The tradeshows count and net square footage in the table below do not include any of the properties sold to Questex Media Group, Inc.

 

Key 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 practice management side of medicine;

 

                                          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;

 

                                          Drug Topics, the #1 magazine for pharmacists;

 

                                          IVT Conferences, a worldwide conference provider of FDA validation and compliance information for the pharmaceutical industry;

 

                                          Dental Products Report, the #1 publication serving the information needs of dentists since 1967, focusing on new products, techniques and trends in general, specialty cosmetic and restorative dentistry;

 

                                          DVM, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Economics, the #1, #2, and #3 publications in the veterinary market serving all aspects of veterinary practice including clinical, practice management and industry news; and

 

                                          Central Veterinary Conference, a conference and tradeshow for veterinary practice management and clinical medicine.

 

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The following table sets forth information relating to shows, conferences and magazines in our Life Sciences sector in the year ended December 31, 2005:

 

Life Sciences Events and Magazines

 

 

 

Exhibitions

 

Conferences

 

Electronic Products

 

Magazines (1)

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

Net Square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

our magazines ranked

 

Sector

 

Number

 

Footage

 

Number

 

Number

 

Number

 

Ad Pages

 

#1 or #2 (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Healthcare

 

 

 

 

38

 

17

 

9,461

 

9 of 15

 

Pharmaceutical & Science

 

 

 

47

 

38

 

14

 

6,677

 

8 of 11

 

Dental

 

 

 

1

 

4

 

5

 

2,091

 

2 of 3

 

Veterinary

 

1

 

45,800

 

 

8

 

6

 

1,700

 

2 of 3

 

 


(1)                                  Excludes directories.

(2)                                  Ranking based only on measured magazines for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Company Operations

 

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 tradeshows and our other large tradeshows 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 show dates from one quarter to another.

 

The sales cycle for a future 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 shows, reservations for a large portion of exhibit space for the next event are 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 show as a condition to participation.

 

In addition to the sale of exhibit space, we market a wide range of promotional opportunities to exhibitors 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 show development. Conferences, workshops and other ancillary forums stimulate interest in the industry and drive attendance at the show. While show attendance is typically free for qualified attendees at tradeshows, 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.

 

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In operating 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 and Las Vegas. While the production of a show may involve hundreds of workers, most workers are employees of our subcontractor vendors.

 

Publications

 

We operate an efficient publishing infrastructure in the United States and the United Kingdom. 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 the United States and the United Kingdom. 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; or 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 are 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.

 

Direct Marketing Products and Other

 

The Direct Marketing group is centrally managed, allowing our tradeshow 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. The fulfillment of these sales, including direct mail and database marketing programs, reprint services, reference books, and internet and electronic products is managed through our publishing operations discussed above. We use internet and electronic products and services to complement our delivery of 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 show and conference attendees.

 

10



 

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 11 different industry sectors consisting of approximately 14,000 advertisers and exhibitors, none of which represented more than 2% of our revenue in 2005. This industry diversity helps to mitigate our exposure to economic volatility in particular industries or geographic markets;

 

                  A strong balance of revenue, with 42% of our revenue coming from shows and conferences, 51% from publishing and 7% from direct marketing products and other in 2005; and

 

                  Modest exposure to currency fluctuations with 3% of our revenue generated from international markets in 2005.

 

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 shows, conferences, publications and direct marketing products and other. In several industries, such as 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 show and conference segment, we compete with trade associations and, in several international markets, with exposition hall owners and operators. Show and conference competition in each market and country occurs on many levels. The venues and dates of 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, trade names, 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

 

11



 

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, 2005, we had approximately 1,000 full-time equivalent employees. Of these full-time employees, approximately 55 employees were located in the United Kingdom 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 1A. — RISK FACTORS

 

Show exhibit space and ad pages could decline as a result of an economic slowdown in the United States, the threat of 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 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 shows or conferences.

 

The threat of 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, shows due to travel fears, (2) further reduction in economic activity and a related reduction in marketing expenditures on publications or shows, or (3) other circumstances that could result from these or subsequent attacks.

 

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

 

The date and location of a 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 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 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 shows and conferences are held on pre-scheduled dates

 

12



 

at specific locations, the success of a particular 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 tradeshows, so any decline in the performance of these shows would reduce our revenue and operating income.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2005, our MAGIC tradeshows represented approximately 27.2% of our total revenue and approximately 40.3 % of our contribution margin (defined as revenue less cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation costs). We expect that the MAGIC tradeshows 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 tradeshows, 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 and pharmaceutical markets, which are dependent upon pharmaceutical marketing budgets.

 

Our properties serving the healthcare and pharmaceutical related markets contributed 26.8% of our revenue in 2005 and 19.4% of our contribution margin (defined as revenue less cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation costs). A substantial portion of the advertising in these markets is from pharmaceutical companies. As a result, any material reduction in marketing activities from 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 and any future governmental regulation such as price controls or types of marketing 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 shows, conferences, publications and direct marketing products and other. In several industries, such as 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.

 

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 industry sectors. Our shows and conferences compete with trade associations and, in several international markets, with exposition hall owners and operators. Our publications typically have between two and five direct competitors that target the same industry sector, and we also have many indirect competitors that define niche markets differently than we do and thus may provide alternatives for readers and/or advertisers.

 

13



 

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 selective 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 the United Kingdom. International operations accounted for approximately 3.1% of our total revenue in 2005. 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; and

 

                                          potentially adverse tax consequences.

 

14



 

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. 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 revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including the British Pound Sterling. Consequently, fluctuations in exchange rates could result in exchange losses. Our exposure to any currency gains or losses is not material to us.

 

Our business is seasonal due largely to higher 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 tradeshows and our other large shows and conferences. In 2005, approximately 31% of our revenue was generated during the first quarter and approximately 30% during the third quarter. The second quarter accounted for approximately 19% of revenue and the fourth quarter accounted for approximately 20% of revenue in 2005. 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 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, 2005, we had (a) total indebtedness of $462.0 million and (b) $58.9 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;

 

15



 

                                          limiting our ability to obtain additional debt financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions; and

 

                                          limiting our flexibility in reacting to competitive and other changes in our industry and economic conditions generally.

 

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 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. 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 Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–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

 

16



 

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 Securities (USA) LLC, which is also an affiliate of (1) Credit Suisse Corporation, 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 our 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;

 

17



 

                                          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 “Risk Factors” 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 1B. — UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. — PROPERTIES

 

Properties

 

We have executive, marketing, sales and editorial offices in several cities in the United States, including Woodland Hills, Los Angeles and Santa Ana, California; Montvale and Iselin, New Jersey; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Northfield, Illinois; Lenexa, Kansas; New York City, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; and Concord, Massachusetts. In addition, we have offices in Chester and London, United Kingdom. Our finance, 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 We have classified our Cleveland office as held for sale, as we are attempting to sell the building and related land. 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.

 

18



 

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, 2005.

 

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 for each of the periods indicated. The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and the selected historical consolidated financial data for Advanstar for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 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, 2003, 2004 and 2005 have been derived from Advanstar’s audited financial statements and the notes thereto included herein. 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.

 

All historical amounts have been reclassified to reflect the results and any gains or losses of sold and discontinued properties as discontinued operations. For further informatino on discontinued properties, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Presentation of Financial Information—Acquisitions and Divestitures.”

 

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Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Statement Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

288,913

 

$

270,412

 

$

190,698

 

$

155,579

 

$

162,595

 

Cost of production and selling (excluding depreciation)

 

168,699

 

157,630

 

104,585

 

78,302

 

81,171

 

General and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation)

 

40,916

 

39,419

 

29,654

 

29,549

 

31,983

 

Restructuring charge (1)

 

4,771

 

 

2,692

 

 

 

Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations

 

 

3,283

 

1,121

 

39,587

 

 

Depreciation and amortization (2)

 

37,755

 

42,624

 

43,530

 

50,994

 

76,369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

36,772

 

27,456

 

9,116

 

(42,853

)

(26,928

)

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(63,058

)

(70,974

)

(59,086

)

(53,147

)

(58,171

)

Interest income

 

1,476

 

468

 

470

 

1,455

 

2,493

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

(12,581

)

 

(11,324

)

 

(4,038

)

Other income (expense), net

 

80

 

1,251

 

918

 

1,117

 

337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(37,311

)

(41,799

)

(59,906

)

(93,428

)

(86,307

)

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(2,732

)

6,518

 

(6,724

)

(23,488

)

(24,091

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(34,579

)

(48,317

)

(53,182

)

(69,940

)

(62,216

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, net of tax

 

38,536

 

(2,846

)

3,734

 

8,330

 

13,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

3,957

 

(51,163

)

(49,448

)

(61,610

)

(49,210

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

 

4,618

 

 

 

(62,729

)

(552

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

8,575

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

$

(124,339

)

$

(49,762

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

8,308

 

$

18,286

 

$

45,848

 

$

24,275

 

$

41,813

 

Investing activities

 

148,959

 

5,602

 

(145,333

)

(31,155

)

(41,733

)

Financing activities

 

(152,635

)

(12,515

)

110,236

 

(15,388

)

24,774

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance sheet data (at end of period):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

46,609

 

$

41,223

 

$

29,274

 

$

18,930

 

$

44,636

 

Working capital (3)

 

(62,365

)

(70,804

)

(78,351

)

(69,536

)

(79,498

)

Total assets

 

766,836

 

912,937

 

986,590

 

866,026

 

1,000,779

 

Total debt

 

461,987

 

614,219

 

626,069

 

557,700

 

570,000

 

Total stockholder’s equity

 

171,608

 

160,865

 

209,296

 

186,153

 

276,386

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

9,564

 

$

8,981

 

$

7,608

 

$

7,216

 

$

7,935

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20



 


(1)                                  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 estimated 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.

 

In 2005, related to the sale of the Portfolio Group, the Company ceased use of certain leased office space in New York, NY, Milford, CT, and Santa Ana, CA. In the third quarter of 2005, the Company vacated additional leased office space in Milford, CT and Chicago, IL. These activities resulted in charges to the Company’s operations during the year ended December 31, 2005. These charges consist of the discounted remaining future minimum lease payments due under non-cancelable leases, net of estimated future sublease income. These lease commitments expire at various dates through 2010. These activities resulted in a charge to operations of $2.5 million in 2005.

 

In connection with the sale of the Portfolio Group and the reorganization of the Company’s healthcare and support departmental management team restructuring of its operations during 2005, the Company notified 120 employees that they would be severed from the Company. The Company took a charge to operations of $2.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2005 for severance and other termination costs.

 

(2)                                  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 for all periods:

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

3,957

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

$

(61,610

)

$

(49,210

)

Add: goodwill amortization, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

22,738

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

3,957

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

$

(61,610

)

$

(26,472

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported net income (loss)

 

$

8,575

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

$

(124,339

)

$

(49,762

)

Add: goodwill amortization, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

22,738

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted net income (loss)

 

$

8,575

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

$

(124,339

)

$

(27,024

)

 

21



 

(3)                                  Working capital is defined as current assets, excluding cash, of $35.9 million, $34.0 million, $46.8 million, $38.2 million, $34.4 million in each period ending December 31, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of long-term debt, of $115.4 million, $103.5 million, $125.2 million, $109.0 million and $96.8 million in each period ending December 31, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.

 

(4)                                  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, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 by $86.3 million, $93.4 million, $59.9 million, $41.8 million, and $37.3 million.

 

22



 

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 Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

 

Overview

 

We are a worldwide media company providing integrated marketing for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing firms. Our products and services are targeted to specific industry sectors through shows and conferences and controlled circulation trade, business, professional and consumer magazines. We also provide a broad range of other direct marketing products, including classified advertising, direct mail services, reprints, database marketing, guides, reference books and electronic based products. Our electronic based products include web advertising, e-newsletters, education, and webinars.

 

We report our business in three segments:

 

                                          shows and conferences, which consists primarily of the management of trade and consumer shows and trade conferences held in convention and conference centers;

 

                                          publications, which consists primarily of the creation and distribution of controlled circulation trade, business, professional and consumer magazines, CME products, custom publishing and other projects; and

 

                                          direct marketing products and other, which consists of sales of a variety of direct mail and database products, magazine editorial reprints, classified advertising and electronic media products.

 

Unless otherwise noted, disclosures herein relate only to our continuing operations. All historical amounts have been reclassified to exclude results and gains or losses of discontinuing operations, unless noted otherwise. For further information on discontinued properties, see “Presentation of Financial Information–Acquisitions and Divestitures.”

 

Shows and conferences accounted for 42%, 40% and 47% of total revenue in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Publications accounted for 51%, 55% and 47% of total revenue in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, while direct marketing products and other accounted for 7%, 5% and 6% of total revenue in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Show and conference revenue increased as a percentage of the total revenue in 2005 primarily as a result of our current year acquisitions and new product launches. Publication revenue increased as a percentage of total revenue in 2004 primarily as a result of our acquisition of a group of 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 tradeshows and our other large tradeshows and conferences. Because show and conference revenue is recognized when a particular event is held, we may experience fluctuations in quarterly revenue based on the movement of show dates from one quarter to another.

 

Trends and Developments

 

We completed a significant part of our strategy to realign and refocus our product portfolio with the sale of certain assets (the “Portfolio Group”) to Questex Media Group in the second quarter of 2005. Net income in 2005 includes approximately five months of results from the Portfolio Group before the sale to Questex Media Group in May 2005, a $52.9 million gain on the sale of these assets and a $2.3 million intangible asset

 

23



 

impairment charge related to the closing of our East Coast Fashion events. All of these are reported as discontinued operations.

 

The sale of the Portfolio Group allows us to concentrate our resources on three markets in which we have our strongest product and market positions, which are the fashion and licensing, life sciences, and the motorcycle and automotive aftermarket markets. In 2005 we invested in these core markets through the development and expansion of existing products, as well as through launching new events, publications, and electronic media.

 

Our tradeshows and conferences continued to perform well in 2005. Revenue for our four largest events, MAGIC Marketplace Spring and Fall, Dealer Expo and Licensing International, increased $11.0 million, or 13.3%, compared to 2004. We also launched the Off-Road Impact tradeshow and conference, complementing our 2004 launches of DIRTsports and Off-Road Business magazines, 18 new IVT and pharmaceutical conferences, a dental conference and a licensing conference.

 

The slight decline in revenue in our publishing segment in 2005 is the result of a contraction in advertising and subscriptions in our nursing publications and a decline in sales of our healthcare custom projects. Projects have a significant lead-time from proposal to completion; as a result, we saw an impact in 2005 from marketing and execution problems we experienced in 2004 and the restructuring of our healthcare group in early 2005. However, we saw a significant pick up in healthcare projects in the fourth quarter of 2005, and are optimistic about 2006 based on the current pipeline of contracted projects.

 

We identified several new opportunities and initiatives in 2005 that we will continue to develop into 2006. Opportunities include expanding customer relationships and our market position in our MAGIC events and the development of a stand alone continuing medical education business and other diversified customer offerings in our healthcare sector. We also will continue developing the off-road market by expanding our Off-Road Impact tradeshow launch and building on our 2005 acquisition of the Off-Road Expo consumer event.

 

Presentation of Financial Information

 

Acquisitions and Divestitures

 

Consistent with the Company’s strategy of building significant product positions in targeted markets, we continued to realign and refocus our product portfolio through both the acquisition and sale of identified assets through a series of transactions from 2005 through 2003. For all properties sold in 2005, we recognized an aggregate pre-tax gain of $52.5 million. The detail on the individual divestitures and acquisitions are as follows:

 

On December 31, 2005, we sold our Arenacross Championship Series (“Arenacross”) for a total selling price of $0.2 million. The loss on the sale of $0.4 million was recorded in December 2005. Arenacross 2005 revenue and contribution loss was $0.9 million and $1.6 million. Arenacross had no revenue or contribution margin in 2004 and 2003.

 

In the second quarter of 2005, we closed the last remaining East Coast Fashion event (the “East Coast Fashion Group”) as part of our new strategy. We recorded a $2.3 million impairment charge for the remaining intangible assets of this business in 2005. Revenue and contribution margin through the second quarter of 2005 for East Coast Fashion Group was $0.9 million and $0.1 million. East Coast Fashion Group revenue for 2004 and 2003 was $6.1 million and $10.9 million. 2004 contribution loss was $0.3 million and 2003 contribution margin was $1.7 million.

 

On  May 23, 2005, we, our parent company and certain affiliates (Advanstar Expositions Canada Limited and Advanstar.com) completed the sale of business assets and liabilities associated with our tradeshows and conferences, trade publications and direct marketing products in our: Information Technology & Telecommunications, Travel/Hospitality, Beauty, Home Entertainment, Abilities and Portfolio groups, including

 

24



 

the shares of our Hong Kong subsidiaries. The shares of our Brazilian subsidiary were sold in July 2005 after receipt of final regulatory approval. Collectively, these assets and shares are referred to as the “Portfolio Group.” The sale price for the Portfolio Group was $185.0 million less $11.2 million in working capital adjustments and expenses. We recorded a gain on the sale of $52.9 million. Revenue and contribution margin from January 1, 2005 to May 23, 2005 was $49.0 million and $14.9 million. Revenue in 2004 and 2003 was $100.8 million and $103.5 million and contribution margin in 2004 and 2003 was $26.8 million and $28.4 million.

 

In the third quarter of 2004, we sold our Post business trade publication (“Post”) for $1.0 million in cash. We recorded a loss after taxes on the sale of $1.3 million. Post revenue and contribution margin from January 1, 2004 to July 2, 2004 was $0.7 million and $0.1 million. Revenue and contribution margin for Post in 2003 was $1.7 million and $0.3 million. We also sold our 65% ownership in our French joint venture (“SeCA”), which consisted of one tradeshow, 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 in 2004. Total revenue and contribution margin for SeCA, net of minority interest, was $2.9 million and $1.4 million in 2004, and was $4.1 million and $1.7 million in 2003. Also in the third quarter of 2004, we sold our German tradeshow business (“DMS”) for $1.7 million in cash. As a result of the sale of DMS we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $6.2 million. Total revenue and contribution loss in 2004 was $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Total revenue and contribution margin in 2003 was $2.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

 

In the first quarter of 2004, we sold our art industry tradeshows and magazines for a total sales price of $19.6 million in cash (“Art Group”). We recorded a gain after taxes on the sale of $3.4 million. Art Group revenue and contribution margin from January 1, 2004 to March 12, 2004 was $8.5 million and $3.4 million. Revenue and contribution margin for the Art Group in 2003 was $10.9 million and $3.1 million.

 

On December 31, 2003, we sold a portfolio of automotive and technology industry tradeshows 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.

 

The financial results of the businesses included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes (including goodwill impairment charge and gain on sale)

 

$

55,961

 

$

(1,664

)

$

17,810

 

Income tax provision

 

16,859

 

5,446

 

13,449

 

Minority interests

 

(566

)

4,264

 

(627

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued businesses

 

$

38,536

 

$

(2,846

)

$

3,734

 

 

Between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005, we completed 7 acquisitions; five of which were completed in 2005, one in 2004, and one in 2003.

 

                  On September 12, 2005, we purchased an off-road consumer event business from Petersen Events Corporation (“Off-Road Expo”) for $2.2 million in cash. In addition, we may pay additional contingent cash consideration to the former shareholders based on the 2006 operating revenue from the acquired assets.

 

                  On August 23, 2005, we purchased two fashion industry tradeshows and related products from the owner of POOL Tradeshow (“POOL”) for $3.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment, which will be completed in 2006. In addition, we may pay additional contingent cash consideration to the former owner

 

25



 

based on the 2007 and 2008 operating results from the acquired assets and the owner’s continued employment with us. The purchase price working capital adjustment has yet to be finalized. We do not believe the final allocation of purchase price will be materially different from preliminary estimates.

 

                  On August 19, 2005, we purchased Project Global Tradeshow, Inc. (“Project”), a producer of tradeshows for the premium contemporary sector of the fashion industry, for $9.9 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment, which will be completed in 2006. In addition, we may pay additional contingent cash consideration to the former shareholders based on the 2007 and 2008 operating results of the acquired assets and their continued employment with us. The purchase price working capital adjustment has yet to be finalized. We do not believe the final allocation of purchase price will be materially different from preliminary estimates.

 

                  From January 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005, we completed two other acquisitions of consumer shows with an aggregate purchase price of $0.5 million in cash.

 

                  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 to the prior owners based upon 2004 and 2005 operating results generated from the acquired assets and their continued employment with us. Operating results for 2005 and 2004 include $0.7 million and $1.5 million in compensation expense to reflect the accrual of the 2005 and 2004 components 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) (“Thomson”).

 

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.

 

Credit Facility Amendment and Credit Facility and Second Priority Secured and Floating Rate Notes Repayment

 

In connection, with the sale of the Portfolio Group, we repaid the remaining $25 million outstanding term debt under our credit facility. We also amended the credit facility to retain the revolving loan facility at $60 million while allowing for repayment of second lien and junior debt with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Portfolio Group.

 

The sale of the Portfolio Group constitutes an asset sale as defined under our 10.75% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes indenture (“the fixed rate notes”). The indenture requires that we use the remaining net proceeds (after repayment of the Credit Facility borrowings) to invest in our business within one year of the sale or alternatively to offer to purchase the fixed rate notes at par plus accrued interest. In June 2005, we offered to purchase up to $140 million of the second lien notes. Holders of $8.7 million principal amount of the fixed rate notes tendered their notes for purchase, and we purchased all such notes.

 

Also in June 2005, we completed a cash tender offer for any and all of our outstanding Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2008 (the “floating rate notes”). Holders of $117.8 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of the floating rate notes tendered their notes for purchase, and we purchased all such notes at a price equal to 107.3% (including a 3% consent fee) of outstanding principal plus accrued interest. In connection with the tender offer, we received consents to proposed amendments to the indenture governing the notes, resulting in the elimination of substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain default provisions with respect to the floating rate notes.

 

26



 

Any net proceeds from the sale of the Portfolio Group not used to reinvest in the business or to purchase second lien notes within one year after closing of the sale will be required to be used to offer to repurchase the subordinated notes and then the discount notes pursuant to those indentures. After the net sale proceeds were used to repay the Credit Facility borrowings and purchase the fixed rate and floating rate notes under the offer to purchase and tender offers, we had net proceeds of approximately $13.4 million remaining, all of which was used in 2005 for acquisitions.

 

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

 

Shows and Conferences
 

The shows and conferences segment derives revenue principally from the sale of exhibit space and conference attendance fees generated at our events. In 2005, 80% of our 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. 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.

 

Publications

 

The publications segment derives revenue principally from the sale of advertising in our trade magazines. Additionally, certain publications derive revenue from paid subscriptions and custom publishing and projects. Paid subscriptions comprise approximately 6% of total publishing revenue in 2005. Most of our 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.

 

27



 

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, reference books and electronic based products. These products complement and utilize the content or databases generated by our 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

 

Shows and Conferences

 

Costs incurred by the shows and conferences segment include facility rent, attendee and exhibitor sales and marketing 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.

 

Publications
 

Costs incurred by the 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, revenue and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to bad debts, restructuring and medical claims accruals, realizability of intangible assets and recoverability 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, 2005 was $35.7 million for shows and $10.7 million for publications. 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 tradeshows and our other large shows and conferences.

 

28



 

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, 2005 and 2004 was $1.1 million and $0.8 million. 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 based on our historical experience. 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, 2005, 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 trade names 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

 

29



 

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 completed our annual goodwill impairment test for each of our three reporting units as of July 1, 2005. Based on this first step test, there was no impairment of goodwill indicated.

 

Results of Operations

 

2005 COMPARED TO 2004

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue increased $18.5 million, or 6.8%, to $288.9 million in 2005 from $270.4 million in 2004.

 

Revenue from shows and conferences increased $15.2 million, or 14.1%, to $122.2 million in 2005 from $107.1 million in 2004. Our MAGIC Marketplace events increased revenue by $9.6 million or 13.9% and square footage increased by 7.1% over 2004 due to development of new trend areas, the continued expansion of our Sourcing Zone initiative, and the acquisitions of POOL and Project in 2005. Our licensing events in the U.S and U.K. increased revenue by $0.9 million or 11.4% over 2004 due to increase in square footage and price per square foot. Revenue from the powersports sector increased $2.4 million or 12.5% over 2004 due to new category initiatives, product launches and selected acquisitions. We developed new initiatives for American Made motorcycle products in our IMS motorcycle consumer events and the Big Twin West tradeshow, expanding sales in this category significantly. Dealer Expo increased revenue through price increases and expansion of international exhibitors. The launch of the Off-Road Impact tradeshow and conferences, which complemented the 2004 launches of DIRTsports and Off-Road Business magazines and the acquisition of the Off-Road Expo, generated $1.3 million of revenue in 2005. Revenue from our IVT conferences increased $1.6 million or 32.1% over 2004 due to the launch of 18 new conference tracks to address emerging topics of interest in the FDA drug validation process. We also launched a new dental conference, Digital Radiography Congress, in 2005 and stopped holding three small shows and conferences in the powersports and pharmaceutical markets in 2005 compared to 2004.

 

Revenue from publications was essentially even with 2004, declining $0.2 million, or 0.1%, to $148.2 million in 2005 from $148.4 million in 2004 due largely to a $4.3 million decline in healthcare custom projects. Projects have a significant lead time from proposal to completion. The revenue decline reflects the impact on the 2005 sales cycle of marketing and fulfillment problems we experienced in 2004 and the restructuring of our operations, including healthcare properties and management, in the first half of 2005. Revenue from our remaining publishing products increased 3.2% over 2004, with the pace of growth increasing significantly in the fourth quarter. This was driven by strong revenue gains in specialty care healthcare, dental and powersports/automotive publications, offset by a decline in our veterinary, licensing and nursing publications. We launched or continued to develop eight new publications,including DIRTsports, Off-Road Business, and American Big Twin in the powersports/automotive sector and Locum Life, Firstline, Modern Hygienist, Ophthalmology Times Europe and Contract Services Europe in life sciences. These launches generated $2.8 million in revenue in 2005. Overall advertising pages increased 2.9% for the year due to gains in our dental, pharmaceutical, science, specialty healthcare, powersports and automotive publications and the eight launch

 

30



 

publications. Offsetting these gains were declines in our license, veterinary and certain primary healthcare publications revenue.

 

Revenue from direct marketing products and other increased $3.5 million, or 23.8%, to $18.4 million in 2005 from $14.9 million in 2004. This increase is primarily due to the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which required us to consolidate the results of our affiliate, Advanstar.com.

 

Cost of production and selling

 

Cost of production and selling expense increased $11.1 million, or 7.0%, to $168.7 million in 2005 from $157.6 million in 2004.

 

Expenses of shows and conferences increased $10.5 million, or 23.6%, to $55.0 million in 2005 from $44.5 million in 2004. Staffing and other direct costs to support our launch of the Off-Road Impact tradeshow and conference, our newly launched IVT and dental conferences and our acquisitions of POOL and Project contributed approximately $5.7 million of this increase. Expenses also increased due to growth of square footage from our fashion, license, and powersports markets and strategic investments made across our market sectors and product lines. We invested in new product areas in the MAGIC Marketplace events, IMS and Dealer Expo and in a significant expansion of the IVT conferences. There were no significant increases in venue pricing during the year.

 

Expenses of publications declined $0.9 million, or 0.9%, to $101.6 million in 2005 from $102.5 million in 2004. This decrease is primarily attributable to cost savings associated with the restructuring of certain aspects of our operations, including healthcare publications, and decline in healthcare custom projects. These cost reductions were partially offset by investments in the eight properties launched in 2005 as described above, as well as investments to actively develop our CME, special projects and electronic offerings in the healthcare sector. Paper prices are expected to increase 5% to 10% in 2006. We expect our postage costs to decrease in 2006 as we begin utilizing co-mailing strategies to take advantage of additional postal discounts.

 

Expenses of direct marketing products and other increased $1.5 million, or 14.0%, to $12.1 million in 2005 from $10.6 million in 2004 due to the consolidation of the results of Advanstar.com as discussed above.

 

General and administrative

 

General and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million, or 3.8%, to $40.9 million in 2005 from $39.4 million in 2004. The increase is due to various factors including an increase in earned incentives of $3.7 million, foreign currency fluctuations of $0.9 million, and increased costs due to the consolidation of the results of Advanstar.com as discussed above. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in IVT contingent compensation accrual in 2005 over amounts in 2004 by $0.9 million and a reduction in costs due to restructuring activities as discussed below.

 

Restructuring charge

 

In May 2005, we ceased use of certain leased office space in New York, NY, Milford, CT, Santa Ana, CA, and Chicago, IL related to the sale of the Portfolio Group (see –”Recent Developments”). These office consolidation activities resulted in restructuring charges of $2.5 million in 2005 consisting of the discounted future minimum lease payments, net of estimated future sublease income from these offices. These lease commitments expire at various dates through 2010.

 

During 2005, we notified 120 employees that they would be severed from the Company in connection with the sale of the Portfolio Group and the reorganization of our healthcare and support department management team restructuring of our operations. As a result, we took a $2.3 million charge to operations during the year ended December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2005, 116 employees have been terminated. Severance payments will continue into 2006.

 

31



 

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.

 

Pre-tax restructuring charges incurred are as follows (in thousands):

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility exit costs

 

$

2,499

 

$

 

$

2,692

 

Employee severance and other termination costs

 

2,272

 

 

 

Restructuring charge

 

$

4,771

 

$

 

$

2,692

 

 

The summary of the Company’s change in restructuring accruals is as follows (in thousands):

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Facility Exit
Costs

 

Employee
Severance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

$

2,375

 

$

 

$

2,375

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

-

 

Utilized-cash

 

(548

)

 

(548

)

Utilized-non-cash

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

$

1,827

 

$

 

$

1,827

 

Restructuring charge

 

2,499

 

2,272

 

4,771

 

Utilized-cash

 

(914

)

(1,465

)

(2,379

)

Utilized-non-cash

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

3,412

 

$

807

 

$

4,219

 

 

We expect an additional $1.8 million charge to be taken in 2006 as we vacate additional office space pursuant to our office consolidation and restructuring plan.

 

Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations

 

Advanstar.com 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 publications and exhibit space in our shows. In return, Advanstar.com provides us with support on its web sites for publications and shows.

 

As described above, on January 1, 2005, we began consolidating the operations of Advanstar.com with our operations upon adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 46R and therefore we are no longer recording a separate operating expense related to our funding of Advanstar.com. Expenses associated with our funding of Advanstar.com were $3.3 million in 2004 and $1.1 million in 2003. In the second quarter of 2004, we provided

 

32



 

$1.9 million in cash to Advanstar.com to allow it to buy out its 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 $4.9 million to $37.8 million in 2005 from $42.6 million in 2004 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 businesses acquired in 2005.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense decreased $7.9 million, or 11.2%, to $63.1 million in 2005 from $71.0 million in 2004 primarily due to a decrease of $92.5 million in our weighted-average debt outstanding during the year. We repaid $20.4 million of our term loans, $8.7 million of our fixed rate notes, and $117.8 million of our floating rate notes in the second quarter of 2005 with the proceeds from the sale of the Portfolio Group. See “–Presentation of Financial Information- Credit Facility Amendment and Credit Facility and Second Priority Secured and Floating Rate Notes Repayment” for further information.

 

At December 31, 2005, $451.4 million, or 98% of our total debt is at a fixed rate with the balance of our debt subject to interest rate fluctuations. We currently have no plans to hedge our interest expense related to our remaining floating or fixed rate debt.

 

Interest income

 

Interest income increased to $1.5 million in 2005 from $0.5 million in 2004 due to an increase in our average cash balance in 2005 compared to 2004.

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

We incurred $12.6 million in costs related to the repurchase of our fixed rate notes and floating rate notes in June 2005. These costs include $8.6 million in tender offer premium and consent fees, the write off of $3.5 million in unamortized deferred financing costs, and $0.5 million in legal fees and expenses. See “Presentation of Financial Information– Credit Facility Amendment and Credit Facility and Second Priority Secured and Floating Rate Notes Repayment.”

 

Other income (expense), net

 

Other income decreased $1.2 million to $0.1 million in 2005 from $1.3 million in 2004. This decrease is attributable to gains associated with our interest rate protection agreement, which expired in February 2004.

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

The benefit for income taxes was $2.7 million in 2005 compared to a $6.5 million provision in 2004. The 2005 and 2004 tax benefit/provision  includes a tax benefit representing the tax benefit provided by losses from continuing operations to the extent that such losses offset the income from discontinued operations. This tax benefit is offset by a tax provision included in discontinued operations. This tax benefit in continuing operations is offset by 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 2005 and 2004 because we have established a valuation allowance to offset any related tax benefits, due to uncertainty about realization of these benefits.

 

33



 

Discontinued operations

 

In December 2005, we sold our Arenacross Championship Series for a total selling price of $0.2 million. The loss on the sale of $0.4 million was recorded in December 2005.

 

In the second quarter of 2005, our last remaining East Coast Fashion event was closed and a $2.3 million impairment charge for the remaining carrying value of the intangible assets of this business was recorded.

 

In May and July 2005, Advanstar sold certain businesses to Questex for net cash of $173.8 million. A gain of $52.9 million on the sale of these assets was recorded in the second quarter of 2005.

 

Properties sold in 2004 included Art, Post, SeCA, and DMS for an aggregate of $24.3 million in cash. Total gain on sale of these businesses was $2.1 million, after tax effect. The aggregate goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2004 relating to these assets was $15.6 million.

 

See further information regarding divestitures included in dscontinued operations in “–Presentation of Financial Information–Acquisitions and Divestitures.”

 

2004 COMPARED TO 2003

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue increased $79.7 million, or 41.8%, to $270.4 million in 2004 from $190.7 million in 2003.

 

Revenue from shows and conferences increased $16.9 million, or 18.7%, to $107.1 million in 2004 from $90.2 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 2003. 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 15th year of growth in 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 shows serving the licensing markets. Additionally, we launched three new events in the pharmaceutical and licensing sectors. The increase in revenue was partially offset by the sale of certain U.K. events in December 2003.

 

Revenue from publications increased $59.1 million, or 66.2%, to $148.4 million in 2004 from $89.3 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, and Motor Age, as well as the introduction of several new products. Revenue increases for the year were partially offset by the sale of select U.K. publications. Advanstar’s advertising pages increased 36.9% for the year, primarily due to the properties acquired from Thomson. Advertising pages remained stable from 2003 to 2004 for all publications other than those acquired or sold.

 

Revenue from direct marketing products and other increased $3.8 million, or 33.7%, to $14.9 million in 2004 from $11.2 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.

 

34



 

Cost of production and selling

 

Cost of production and selling expenses increased $53.0 million, or 50.7%, to $157.6 million in 2004 from $104.6 million in 2003.

 

Expenses of shows and conferences increased $7.4 million, or 19.9%, to $44.5 million in 2004 from $37.1 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 the sale of certain U.K. events in December 2003, as discussed above. There were no significant increases in venue pricing during the year.

 

Expenses of publications increased $44.3 million, or 76.2%, to $102.5 million in 2004 from $58.2 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 U.K. properties in December 2003. Printing prices increased slightly from 2003.

 

Expenses of direct marketing products and other increased $1.3 million, or 14.3%, to $10.6 million in 2004 from $9.3 million in 2003 due to related growth in revenue.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses increased $9.8 million, or 32.9%, to $39.4 million in 2004 from $29.7 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

 

See information regarding restructuring activities in “—Results of Operations—2005 Compared to 2004—Restructure charge.”

 

Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations

 

See information regarding funding of dot.com company operations in “—Results of Operations—2005 Compared to 2004—Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations.”

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization expense declined approximately $0.9 million to $42.6 million in 2004 from $43.5 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 $11.9 million, or 20.1%, to $71.0 million in 2004 from $59.1 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 InformationPrivate Placement of Second Priority Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing of Credit Facility.”

 

35



 

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 $0.3 million to $1.3 million in 2004 from $0.9 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 $6.5 million in 2004 compared to a benefit of $6.7 million in 2003. The 2004 and 2003 tax benefit/provision includes a tax benefit representing the tax benefit provided by losses from continuing operations to the extent that such losses offset the income from discontinued operations. This tax benefit is offset by a tax provision included in discontinued operations. This tax benefit in continuing operations is offset by 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

 

See information regarding discontinued operations in “—Presentation of Financial Information—Acquisitions, and Divestitures.”

 

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, dividends to Advanstar, Inc. to permit funding of its debt service, capital expenditures, investments in our publications and shows and selective 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 shows, which is billed and collected as deposits up to one year in advance of the respective show.

 

Operating cash flows may be significantly affected by the working capital characteristics of our business, in particular the shows and conferences business. Deferred revenue increases on the balance sheet in the quarters immediately preceding our busy first quarter show season as we collect deposits for booth space several months in advance of the 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.

 

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 that it is extended or replaced prior to April 2007, when it matures) and other future financings and refinancings, will be sufficient to fund our anticipated future operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service and other obligations as they

 

36



 

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 2006.

 

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 selective acquisitions.

 

As of December 31, 2005, we had cash and cash equivalents of $46.6 million and also had $58.9 million in availability under our revolving credit facility. The following table shows our cash flow activity for 2005, 2004 and 2003, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated statements of cash flows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

8,308

 

$

18,286

 

$

45,848

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

148,959

 

5,602

 

(145,333

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(152,635

)

(12,515

)

110,236

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

754

 

576

 

(407

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5,386

 

$

11,949

 

$

10,344

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

Net cash provided by operations decreased $10.0 million to $8.3 million in 2005 compared to $18.3 million in 2004. This decline was due primarily to $9.1 million of cash fees and expenses related to our repurchase of a portion of our outstanding debt in June 2005, severance payments of $1.5 million associated with restructuring activities, and the reduction in cash flow attributable to discontinued operations. During 2005, net cash provided by discontinued operations was $1.7 million, which represents approximately 20.4% of total n et cash provided by operations. The declines discussed above were partially offset by a $6.8 million reduction in cash interest payments and a $9.3 million increase in operating income in 2005 compared to 2004.

 

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 tradeshow 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 tradeshows 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.

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

Net cash provided by investing activities increased $143.4 million to $149.0 million in 2005, from $5.6 million in 2004 due primarily to the sale of the Portfolio Group in 2005 for $185 million less $11.2 million in working capital adjustments and expenses. This increase was partially offset by the use of $15.6 million in cash for acquisitions of Off-Road Expo, POOL, Project and two other small acquisitions in 2005, partially offset by $7.9 million in cash used for the acquisition of IVT in 2004. Our business strategy includes the consummation of selective 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.

 

37



 

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.

 

We incurred capital expenses of $9.6 million, $9.0 million, and $7.6 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. We anticipate that we will spend approximately $9.8 million on capital expenditures in 2006, 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, management and operating group information systems and office build-outs arising from our recent office consolidations. 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 shows, publications and business of our continuing operations.

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities was $152.6 million in 2005 compared to $12.5 million in 2004. In 2005, we repaid $20.4 million of our term loans, $8.7 million of our fixed rate notes, and $117.8 million of our floating rate notes in the second quarter of 2005 with the proceeds from the sale of the Portfolio Group. We incurred $12.6 million in costs related to the repayment. These costs include $8.6 million in tender offer premium and consent fees, the write off of $3.5 million in unamortized deferred financing costs, and $0.5 million in legal fees and expenses. We repaid $11.7 million of debt in 2004, including $8.0 million on our revolving credit facility.

 

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.

 

Debt service

 

As of December 31, 2005, we had total indebtedness of $462.0 million and approximately $58.9 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 which will terminate in April 2007. 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. Our obligations under the credit facility are guaranteed by Advanstar Holdings Corp. (“Advanstar Holdings” or “Holdings”), our ultimate parent company, Advanstar, Inc., our direct parent company, and all of 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.

 

38



 

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 fixed charge coverage ratio covenant contained in the credit facility in 2006.

 

Second priority senior secured notes

 

Our $9.9 million of floating rate notes mature in 2008. 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 floating rate notes, along with amortization of 0.25% of the principal of such floating rate notes, is payable quarterly in cash. In June 2005, holders of $117.8 million aggregate outstanding principal amount of the floating rate notes tendered their notes for purchase, and we purchased all such notes at a price equal to 107.3% (including a 3% consent fee) of principal plus accrued interest. In connection with the tender offer, we and the trustee entered into a supplemental indenture that eliminated substantially all of the restrictive and reporting covenants, certain events of default and certain other provisions with respect to the floating rate notes and released the floating rate notes’ lien on the collateral under the indenture. The fixed rate notes remain secured by the collateral and subject to the restrictive covenants in the indenture. See “Presentation of Financial Information– Private Placement of Second Priority Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing of Credit Facility.”

 

Our $292.0 million of fixed rate notes mature in 2010. The notes 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%, which 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. In June 2005, holders of $8.7 million principal amount of the fixed rate notes tendered their notes for purchase, and we purchased all such notes. See “Presentation of Financial Information—Private Placement of Second Priority Senior Secured Notes and Refinancing of Credit Facility.”

 

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 (“the discount notes”) due October 2011 with a principal amount at maturity of $171.8 million. Interest on the discount notes is payable in cash beginning in April 2006. These discount notes 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.

 

The restricted covenants in our senior secured notes indenture and senior subordinated notes indenture provide that we can pay dividends only if our leverage ratio (as defined) is 6.0 to 1.0 or better and only from a basket equal to the amount by which our cumulative EBITDA (as defined) since January 1, 2001 exceeds 150% of our cumulative interest expense in that same period plus other items, including proceeds from equity offerings. In addition to such basket and notwithstanding the leverage ratio limitation on restricted payments, we can make additional restricted payments in an aggregate amount of up to $20 million to Advanstar, Inc. As of December 31, 2005, our leverage ratio under the most restrictive of these indentures was 5.96 to 1.0. In March

 

39



 

2006, we declared and paid a dividend of $12.9 million to Advanstar, Inc. to be used for servicing  its debt obligations.

 

We expect our results will allow us to continue to make dividend payments to Advanstar, Inc. for purposes of debt service. However, our results are subject to a variety of factors, including general economic conditions and conditions in its market. 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.

 

Contractual and contingent obligations

 

Our contractual obligations (excluding accounts payable and accrued expenses), as of December 31, 2005 are as set forth below (in millions):

 

 

 

Payments Due By Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2010

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indebtedness

 

$

0.2

 

$

0.1

 

$

9.7

 

$

 

$

291.3

 

$

160.0

 

$

461.3

 

Interest on indebtedness (1)

 

51.1

 

51.1

 

50.8

 

50.5

 

42.7

 

9.6

 

255.8

 

Operating lease obligations

 

7.7

 

6.7

 

6.5

 

4.8

 

2.2

 

4.9

 

32.8

 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

 

$

59.0

 

$

57.9

 

$

67.0

 

$

55.3

 

$

336.2

 

$

174.5

 

$

749.9

 

 


(1)                                  Interest on our variable rate debt is calculated using LIBOR of 4.4%, the rate in effect on December 31, 2005. Because our variable rate debt bears interest at a variable rate, actual payments could differ.

 

We have no material capital lease obligations or purchase obligations. We have contingent obligations composed of $1.1 million of letters of credit securing our lease facilities. Additionally, as a result of acquisitions discussed above, we may have future cash consideration payable to the former selling shareholders based on the acquired businesses’ future periods operating results.

 

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. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of this standard effective January 1, 2006. This statement requires companies to classify their awards as either an equity award or liability award. In accordance with this standard, the Company will classify the vested portion of the awards as a liability valued at their intrinsic value at each reporting date. Using the intrinsic method to value liability awards, compensation expense amounts is recorded only if the value

 

40



 

of the Company’s shares is greater than the option exercise as of the reporting date. As of January 1, 2006, we believe the intrinsic value of vested options is zero thus no liability or expense will be recorded upon adoption.

 

Item 7A. — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to various market risks, which are the potential losses 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, 2005, we had fixed rate debt of $451.4 million and variable rate debt of $9.9 million. A change in interest rates of 1% would not be material to us.

 

Currencies

 

Outside of the United States, we maintain assets and operations in the United Kingdom. These assets and operations, and our exposure to any currency gains or losses, are not material to us.

 

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 effective.

 

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

 

None.

 

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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

 

46

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

James M. Alic

 

63

 

Vice President, Chairman of the Board and Director

David W. Montgomery

 

48

 

Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

R. Steven Morris

 

54

 

Executive Vice President

Daniel M. Phillips

 

43

 

Executive Vice President

Alexander S. DeBarr

 

45

 

Executive Vice President

Eric I. Lisman

 

48

 

Executive Vice President Corporate Development

Ward D. Hewins

 

45

 

Vice President and General Counsel

Rick Treese

 

35

 

Vice President – Chief Technical Officer

Georgiann DeCenzo

 

48

 

Vice President

OhSang Kwon

 

37

 

Director

Douglas B. Fox

 

58

 

Director

Charles Pieper

 

59

 

Director

James Finkelstein

 

57

 

Director

 

Executive Officers

 

Joseph Loggia has served as Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2004, and has served as our President and Director since May 2002. Prior to May 2002, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MAGIC (our subsidiary), President from August 1996, and Chief Operating Officer beginning in 1995. Prior to our acquisition of MAGIC, from January 1993 to August 1996 he served as MAGIC’s President and Chief Executive Officer. 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 from July 1996 to July 2004. From June 1995 to June 1996, he was Vice President and Controller of IBM Corporation. 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, Minnesota.

 

Eric I. Lisman has served as our Executive Vice President Corporate Development since November 2001. 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.

 

Ward D. Hewins has served as our Vice President and Chief Counsel since February 2005. From July 2000 to February 2005, Mr. Hewins was our Deputy General Counsel. From March 1998 to July 2000, Mr. Hewins served as Assistant General Counsel for Interactive Data Corporation. From October 1993 to March 1998 Mr. Hewins was a corporate associate and then a partner in the Boston office of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott.

 

42



 

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

 

R. Steven Morris currently serves as Executive Vice President responsible for the Healthcare, Science and Pharmaceutical markets. Prior to June 2005, he was Vice President of the Market Development 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.

 

Daniel M. Phillips has served as Executive Vice President of our Powersports and Automotive markets since 2003. Prior to that, he was 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 Comunicaciones magazines, and in 1998 was promoted to Vice President and General Manager. Prior to joining Advanstar, Mr. Phillips was responsible for publications and events for EMAP (U.K.) in the area of IT & Telecommunications.

 

Alexander S. DeBarr has served as our Executive Vice President since June 1997 and is responsible for the Dental and Veterinary markets, and the Market Development group. 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.

 

Georgiann DeCenzo currently serves as Vice President responsible for the License and Market Development groups. From July 2005 to February 2006, she served as Vice President, Marketing & Communications and was responsible for our corporate communications, marketing and research. Prior to July 2005, Ms. DeCenzo served as Corporate Marketing Director. Before joining Advanstar in 1998, Ms. DeCenzo served as Marketing Director of Penton Media’s IndustryWeek.

 

Directors

 

Joseph Loggia. See “Executive Officers.”

 

James M. Alic. See “Executive Officers.”

 

OhSang Kwon has served as a director since October 2000. Since July 2005, Mr. Kwon has been a partner of Avista Capital Holdings, LP, a private equity firm and also a Partner of MB Advisory Partners, LLC, which has been engaged by Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC to provide consulting services with respect to DLJ Merchant Banking portfolio companies. From February 2000 to June 2005, he served as a Partner, Principal, and Vice President of DLJ Merchant Banking, Inc. 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 from 1987 to 1994 he served as President and Chief

 

43



 

Operating Officer at Newsday in New York. Mr. Fox currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Vitamin Shoppe, Microban International, Ltd., and VitaQuest, Inc.

 

Charles Pieper has served as a Director since August 2004. Mr. Pieper joined DLJMB and Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC’s Alternative Capital Division in 2004 as an Operating Partner and is currently a Managing Director and a member of the Firm’s Management Council. 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 Holding Co., Inc. since May 2004. He is presently President of Marquis Who’s Who, LLC, and CEO of News Communications, Inc., publisher of The Hill, the publication for Congress, and Dan’s Publications. He is a partner at Avista Capital Partners since July 2005. He has served as Chairman of Global Media Partners at Credit Suisse First Boston from January 2004 to July 2005. Previously he served as media partner to DB Capital Partners. 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.

 

44



 

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 executive 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

 

2005

 

$

625,000

 

$

937,500

 

$

1,800

 

 

$

8,010

 

Chief Executive Officer and

 

2004

 

625,000

 

339,016

 

990

 

 

7,860

 

Director (4)

 

2003

 

500,000

 

146,046

 

 

600,000

 

7,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James M. Alic

 

2005

 

150,000

 

150,000

 

 

 

9,369

 

Chairman of the Board

 

2004

 

150,000

 

75,000

 

 

106,250

 

8,632

 

 

 

2003

 

150,000

 

50,000

 

 

 

6,427

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David W. Montgomery

 

2005

 

300,000

 

125,766

 

 

 

7,682

 

Vice President-Finance, Chief

 

2004

 

298,462

 

120,000

 

 

 

7,388

 

Financial Officer and Secretary

 

2003

 

259,615

 

75,000

 

 

 

7,015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric I. Lisman

 

2005

 

362,000

 

151,814

 

 

 

7,924

 

Executive Vice President -

 

2004

 

362,000

 

144,800

 

 

 

7,597

 

Corporate Development

 

2003

 

361,539

 

65,639

 

 

 

7,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rick Treese

 

2005

 

249,615

 

88,117

 

 

 

6,941

 

Vice President - Chief Technical

 

2004

 

239,731

 

84,000

 

 

 

6,638

 

Officer

 

2003

 

232,692

 

38,165

 

 

 

6,559

 

 


(1)                                  Bonuses are reported in the year earned, even though they were actually paid in the subsequent year.

 

(2)                                  Includes the incremental cost 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. Loggia’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, 2005 pursuant to the 2000 Management Incentive Plan described below to each of the named executive officers. We have not granted any stock appreciation rights.

 

45



 

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
Granted

 

% of Total
Options
Granted
to
Employees
in Fiscal
Year

 

Exercise
Price
($/share)

 

Expiration
Date

 

Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
Annual Rates of
Stock Price
Appreciation
for Option Term

 

 

5% ($)

 

10% ($)

 

Rick Treese

 

50,000

 

11.8

%

$

10.00

 

2015

 

$

314,447

 

$

796,871

 

 

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, 2005. None of the unexercised options were “in the money” at December 31, 2005 based on a good faith estimate of the fair market value of the stock price by our Board of Directors.

 

Aggregated Option Exercises in 2005 and December 31, 2005 Option Values

 

Name

 

Number of
Shares
Acquired
on
Exercise

 

Value
Realized

 


Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
at Fiscal
Year End

 

Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options
at Fiscal Year End

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

James M. Alic

 

 

 

223,440

 

51,560

 

 

 

Joseph Loggia

 

 

 

674,167

 

425,833

 

 

 

David W. Montgomery

 

 

 

196,875

 

53,125

 

 

 

Eric I. Lisman

 

 

 

153,124

 

46,876

 

 

 

Rick Treese

 

 

 

30,312

 

54,688

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the shares issued and issuable and exercise price for our equity compensation plan as of December 31, 2005.

 

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

 

3,965,000

 

$

10.00

 

107,789

 

 

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, December 10, 2002, and April 19, 2005. The following description of the plan is intended to be a summary and does not describe all provisions of the plan.

 

46



 

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 4,072,789 shares of its common stock for participants under the plan during the term of the plan, of which 3,965,000 have been granted and remain outstanding as of December 31, 2005. 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

 

47



 

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 domestic employees of Advanstar, Inc. or any other domestic subsidiary who 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 after the employee has completed one year of service, 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 Advanstar, Inc. dated as of November 21, 2003, which was amended and restated effective June 22, 2005. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Loggia will continue to act as chief executive officer of Advanstar, Inc. and Advanstar Communications Inc. through December 31, 2007, followed by successive three year employment terms unless terminated by either party in accordance with the agreement. Mr. Loggia is entitled to an annual base salary of $625,000 and an annual bonus based on Advanstar, Inc.’s EBITDA for any year, up to a maximum bonus in any one year of 150% of base salary. The agreement provides for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by law. If Mr. Loggia is terminated by Advanstar, Inc. without “cause” or terminates his employment for “good reason,” each as defined in the agreement, he will be entitled to the continuation of his base salary for a period of two years following his termination, and the greater of his bonus that would have been payable to him had he remained employed through the end of the fiscal year or the annual bonus received by Mr. Loggia in 2004. Mr. Loggia’s agreement also includes provisions triggered by a qualifying change in control, as defined in the agreement, including accelerated vesting of his stock options, and change in control bonus, calculated based upon the effective purchase price per share, and not to exceed $4,000,000. Mr. Loggia also has entered into a new non-compete and confidentiality agreement with Advanstar, Inc.. 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.

 

48



 

Mr. Alic entered into an employment agreement with Advanstar, Inc., which was amended effective March 1, 2002, September 15, 2004 and February 1, 2006. The amended agreement provides for a fixed term through December 31, 2007, and continuation thereafter upon agreement mutual agreement of the parties. 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 2005, 2006 and 2007 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 Advanstar, Inc.. 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 tradeshow or publishing business from a third party that has a relationship or contract with us.

 

Advanstar, Inc. currently has a severance arrangement with David W. Montgomery, our and Advanstar, Inc’s 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.

 

Advanstar Communications, Inc. currently has a severance arrangement with Ward D. Hewins, its Vice President and General Counsel.  In the event that Mr. Hewins’ employment is terminated for any reason other than for cause or if Mr. Hewins’ principal office location is relocated outside the greater Boston area, the arrangement provides that Mr. Hewins 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. Mr. Finkelstein is also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his service as a director of the Company.

 

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 $40,000 and, through Renaissance Brands, LTD, a company wholly owned by Mr. Fox, a separate annual advisory fee of $40,000, 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

 

49



 

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 2005, we did not have a compensation committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, Messrs. Loggia and Alic 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 30, 2006 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 30, 2006. 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

 

674,167

(2)

1.8

%

James M. Alic

 

366,743

(3)

1.0

%

David W. Montgomery

 

200,000

(4)

 

*

Eric I. Lisman

 

156,250

(5)

 

*

Rick Treese

 

32,500

(6)

 

*

Douglas B. Fox
223 Wall Street, Box 318
Huntington New York, 11743

 

20,000

(7)

 

*

James Finkelstein (9) 
2 Park Avenue, Suite 1405
New York, New York 10019

 

10,000

(8)

 

*

OhSang Kwon(9)
65 East 55th St, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles Pieper(9)
DLJ Merchant Banking Inc.
11 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All directors and officers as a group (9 persons)

 

1,459,660

 

3.7

%

 

50



 


* 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 674,167 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

 

(3)                                  Consists of 108,516 shares, warrants to purchase 34,787 shares and 223,440 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

 

(4)                                  Consists of 200,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

 

(5)                                  Consists of 156,250 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

 

(6)                                  Consists of 32,500 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

 

(7)                                  Consists of 20,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

 

(8)                                  Consists of 10,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days.

 

(9)                                  Shares shown for Messrs. Kwon, Finkelstein 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. Messrs. Finkelstein and Kwon are partners of Avista Capital Partners, a private equity firm that has been engaged by an affiliate of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC to serve as a consultant to assist in the monitoring of certain DLJ Merchant Banking Partners portfolio companies. Mr. Pieper is an employee at Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC where he is a Managing Director with DLJ Merchant Banking Partners.

 

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

 

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

 

Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC (“CSS (USA)”), an affiliate of the DLJ Merchant Banking funds, has received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses in connection with the arrangement and syndication of the credit facility and as a lender thereunder. CSS (USA) 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 of $10.4 million in 2003, plus out-of-pocket expenses for these services. No fees were paid in 2004 related to financings.

 

51



 

In May 2005, the Company paid a consulting fee of $1.5 million to CSS (USA), an affiliate, related to the sale of the Portfolio Group. In June 2005, the Company repurchased $7.1 million of its fixed rate notes at par, and $4.6 million of its floating rate notes at a price equal to 107.3% of principal, from CSS (USA) pursuant to our tender offer.

 

In connection with the Acquisition, Advanstar Holdings agreed to pay CSS (USA) 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 16 2/3% of the shares of Advanstar Holdings’ common stock held by them on the closing date of the Acquisition; and

 

(3)                                  October 11, 2005.

 

Subsequently, CSS (USA) 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 CSS (USA) or one of its affiliates pursuant to which CSS (USA) 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 CSS (USA) 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 permit 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

 

52



 

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. Finkelstein, Kwon and Pieper are the directors selected by the DLJ Merchant Banking funds. As of December 31, 2005, 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.

 

Effective January 1, 2005, we began consolidating the operations of Advanstar.com, Inc. (Advanstar.com) with our operations upon the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” As a result of the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 46R, we recorded a $4.6 million gain, which was recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change in the first quarter of 2005.

 

Prior to January 1, 2005, we recorded advances and notes issued in support of Advanstar.com operations as an operating expense in our consolidated statement of operations. Net advances and notes charged to our operations during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $3.3 million and $1.1 million. In May 2004, the Company made a $1.9 million advance to Advanstar.com to fund the settlement of Advanstar.com’s outstanding New York lease obligations.

 

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 2004 and 2005. The following table presents information concerning fees paid to PwC in each of those years.

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit fees(1)

 

$

532,404

 

$

737,844

 

Audit-related fees(2)

 

19,856

 

120,517

 

Tax fees(3)

 

452,980

 

701,191

 

All other fees

 

 

 

 

53



 


(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, and (3) fees related to the audit of the financial statements of the Portfolio Group of which approximately $292 thousand of the 2005 fees were reimbursed by Questex Media Group, Inc.

 

(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, third-party workpaper reviews, and post effective amendment (S-1) filings.

 

(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 PwC. Specifically, the policies and procedures prohibit PwC 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 PwC for the following service categories of non-audit service for 2005: audit related services in aggregate not to exceed $120,000; U.S. tax planning and compliance in aggregate not to exceed $385,000; other tax services in aggregate not to exceed $145,000; 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 PwC in 2005 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.

 

 

54



 

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. — EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

A.            Documents Filed as Part of this Report:

 

1. Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

2. Financial Statement Schedule:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

55



 

 

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, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards 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 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, on January 1, 2005.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 1, 2006, except as to the seventh paragraph

of Note 14, for which the date is March 14, 2006

 

 

F-1



 

 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

46,609

 

$

41,223

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,076 and $785 at December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

24,607

 

26,699

 

Prepaid expenses

 

7,871

 

6,406

 

Other

 

1,965

 

2,450

 

Current assets of discontinued operations

 

 

2,690

 

Total current assets

 

81,052

 

79,468

 

Due from parent

 

2,232

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

21,306

 

18,717

 

Intangible and other assets

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

594,982

 

586,967

 

Intangibles and other, net

 

62,644

 

91,948

 

Total intangible and other assets, net

 

657,626

 

678,915

 

Non-current assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale

 

4,620

 

135,837

 

 

 

$

766,836

 

$

912,937

 

Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

201

 

$

1,300

 

Accounts payable

 

12,342

 

13,451

 

Accrued compensation

 

7,236

 

7,451

 

Other accrued expenses

 

30,758

 

32,979

 

Deferred revenue

 

46,472

 

39,282

 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

 

 

15,886

 

Total current liabilities

 

97,009

 

110,349

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

461,786

 

612,919

 

Deferred income taxes

 

31,500

 

18,250

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

4,933

 

4,229

 

Due to parent

 

 

2,698

 

Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations

 

 

3,627

 

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, 2005 and 2004

 

10

 

10

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

447,367

 

447,367

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(284,182

)

(292,757

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

8,413

 

6,245

 

Total stockholder’s equity

 

171,608

 

160,865

 

 

 

$

766,836

 

$

912,937

 

 

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, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

288,913

 

$

270,412

 

$

190,698

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of production (excluding depreciation)

 

56,326

 

50,859

 

35,292

 

Selling, editorial and circulation (excluding depreciation)

 

112,373

 

106,771

 

69,293

 

General and administrative (excluding depreciation)

 

40,916

 

39,419

 

29,654

 

Restructuring charge

 

4,771

 

 

2,692

 

Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations (Note 13)

 

 

3,283

 

1,121

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

29,750

 

34,809

 

35,841

 

Depreciation

 

8,005

 

7,815

 

7,689

 

Total operating expenses

 

252,141

 

242,956

 

181,582

 

Operating income

 

36,772

 

27,456

 

9,116

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(63,058

)

(70,974

)

(59,086

)

Interest income

 

1,476

 

468

 

470

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt (Note 6)

 

(12,581

)

 

(11,324

)

Other income, net

 

80

 

1,251

 

918

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(37,311

(41,799

(59,906

Income tax (benefit) provision

 

(2,732

)

6,518

 

(6,724

)

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(34,579

(48,317

(53,182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued businesses, net of tax
(Note 4)

 

38,536

 

(2,846

)

3,734

 

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

3,957

 

(51,163

(49,448

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change (Note 13)

 

4,618

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

8,575

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

 

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, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Capital in
Excess of

 

Accumulated

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

 

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Par Value

 

Deficit

 

Income (Loss)

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

8,575

 

 

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

2,271

 

 

Change in unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

(103

)

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,743

 

Balances at December 31, 2005

 

1,000,000

 

$

10

 

$

447,367

 

$

(284,182

)

$

8,413

 

$

171,608

 

 

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

 

 

F-4



 

 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

8,575

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(4,618

)

 

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

 

15,570

 

 

Impairment of intangible assets

 

2,272

 

 

 

Write-off of deferred financing costs

 

3,517

 

 

11,324

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

40,718

 

49,968

 

56,603

 

Gain on derivative financial instruments

 

(103

)

(1,391

)

(772

)

Losses of minority interest holders

 

566

 

562

 

627

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

2,843

 

3,264

 

3,363

 

(Gain) loss on disposition of business and other

 

(52,710

)

(1,179

)

661

 

Provision for bad debts

 

1,417

 

872

 

578

 

Deferred income taxes

 

13,250

 

11,260

 

6,990

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(224

)

6,190

 

(365

)

Inventories

 

507

 

(708

)

188

 

Prepaid expenses

 

24

 

(583

)

844

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(1,958

)

(8,165

)

16,167

 

Deferred revenue

 

(3,926

)

(6,860

)

1,525

 

Other

 

(1,842

)

649

 

(2,437

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

8,308

 

18,286

 

45,848

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(9,564

)

(8,981

)

(7,608

)

Acquisitions of publications and shows, net of cash acquired

 

(15,561

)

(7,915

)

(137,728

)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

174,067

 

24,418

 

 

Acquisitions of intangibles, contingent payments, and other

 

17

 

(1,920

)

3

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

148,959

 

5,602

 

(145,333

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from revolving credit loan

 

 

6,000

 

21,000

 

Payments on revolving credit loan

 

 

(14,000

)

(50,100

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

 

431,050

 

Payments of long-term debt

 

(152,167

)

(3,700

)

(333,525

)

Capital contribution from parent

 

 

 

60,000

 

Deferred financing costs

 

(168

)

(315

)

(16,962

)

Project grant refunds received

 

600

 

 

 

Dividends paid to minority interest holders

 

(900

)

(500

)

(1,227

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(152,635

)

(12,515

)

110,236

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

754

 

576

 

(407

)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

5,386

 

11,949

 

10,344

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

41,223

 

29,274

 

18,930

 

End of year

 

$

46,609

 

$

41,223

 

$

29,274

 

 

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

 

 

F-5



 

 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

 

1.         Nature of Business

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Advanstar Communications Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanstar, Inc., 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 shows and conferences; publishes controlled and paid circulation trade, professional and consumer periodicals; and markets a broad range of marketing, direct mail and database products and services. The Company’s Magic tradeshows and Healthcare/ Pharmaceutical product sector each generated approximately 27% of total revenue in 2005.

 

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 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:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and improvements

 

$

481

 

$

481

 

Buildings

 

3,850

 

3,093

 

Furniture, machinery and equipment

 

43,519

 

39,307

 

Leasehold improvements

 

7,997

 

6,083

 

 

 

55,847

 

48,964

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(34,541

)

(30,247

)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

$

21,306

 

$

18,717

 

 

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:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

11,261

 

$

13,084

 

Deposits and customer advances

 

10,292

 

11,537

 

Benefits and severance

 

2,018

 

2,300

 

Income, real estate, and other taxes

 

3,953

 

4,369

 

Other

 

3,234

 

1,689

 

 

 

$

30,758

 

$

32,979

 

 

 

F-7



 

 

Revenue Recognition

Shows and conferences revenue is recognized in the 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 an event is held, the publication is issued, or project is completed. Customer advances are recorded when cash is received in anticipation of future advertising unrelated to a specific publication issue.

 

Deferred revenue consisted of the following at December 31:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred shows and conferences revenue

 

$

35,732

 

$

30,176

 

Deferred advertising subscription and project revenue

 

10,740

 

9,106

 

Total deferred revenue

 

$

46,472

 

$

39,282

 

 

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company accounts for translation adjustments related to its investments in foreign entities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 52, Foreign Currency Translation. Local currencies are considered the functional currencies outside of the U.S. 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 using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.

 

 

F-8



 

 

The following table presents unaudited pro forma net income (loss) as if the Company had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value of the options granted as prescribed by SFAS No. 123, for the years ended December 31:

 

(in thousands of dollars - unaudited)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)—as reported

 

$

8,575

 

$

(51,163

)

$

(49,448

)

Less: Pro forma stock-based employee compensation cost

 

(5,740

)

(2,550

)

(2,400

)

Net income (loss)—pro forma

 

$

2,835

 

$

(53,713

)

$

(51,848

)

 

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

 

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 revenue 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, recovery of goodwill and intangible assets, restructuring and medical claims accruals and income taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

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. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of this standard effective January 1, 2006. This statement requires companies to classify their awards as either an equity award or liability award. In accordance with this standard, the Company will classify the vested portion of the awards as a liability valued at their intrinsic value at each reporting date. Using the intrinsic method to value liability awards, compensation expense is recorded only if the value of the Company’s shares are greater than the option exercise amounts as of the reporting date. As of January 1, 2006, management believes the intrinsic value of vested options is zero thus no liability or expense will be recorded upon adoption.

 

3.                          Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

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

 

 

F-9



 

 

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, 2005 and 2004, the Company completed 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:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Shows
and
Conferences

 

Publications

 

Direct Marketing
Products
and Other

 

Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2003

 

$

396,061

 

$

156,683

 

$

24,788

 

$

577,532

 

Goodwill acquired or completion of purchase price allocation

 

247

 

6,272

 

 

6,519

 

Foreign currency translation

 

2,274

 

640

 

2

 

2,916

 

Balances at December 31, 2004

 

398,582

 

163,595

 

24,790

 

586,967

 

Goodwill acquired or completion of purchase price allocation

 

10,685

 

 

 

10,685

 

Foreign currency translation

 

(956

)

(1,650

)

(64

)

(2,670

)

Balances at December 31, 2005

 

$

408,311

 

$

161,945

 

$

24,726

 

$

594,982

 

 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade exhibitor lists

 

$

132,936

 

$

129,691

 

Advertiser lists

 

29,680

 

46,712

 

Subscriber lists

 

6,023

 

15,238

 

Trade names and trademarks

 

19,211

 

17,982

 

Other intangible assets

 

20,275

 

19,928

 

Deferred financing costs

 

18,668

 

22,258

 

 

 

226,793

 

251,809

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(164,149

)

(159,861

)

Total intangible and other assets, net

 

$

62,644

 

$

91,948

 

 

 

F-10



 

The allocated fair value of intangible assets acquired during the year ended December 31 was as follows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade exhibitor lists

 

$

3,820

 

$

 

Advertiser lists

 

103

 

 

Subscriber lists

 

 

789

 

Trade names and trademarks

 

1,230

 

97

 

Other intangible assets

 

1,730

 

1,566

 

 

 

$

6,883

 

$

2,452

 

 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

$

21,129

 

2007

 

8,372

 

2008

 

5,454

 

2009

 

1,919

 

2010

 

1,570

 

 

4.                          Acquisitions, Divestitures and Assets Held for Sale

 

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. All acquisitions have been consummated to expand the Company’s show and publication presence within its existing market sector and to maximize marketing and customer service infrastructure and expertise.

 

On September 12, 2005, the Company purchased an off-road consumer event business from Petersen Events Corporation (“Off-Road Expo”) for $2.2 million in cash. In addition, the Company may pay additional contingent cash consideration to the former shareholders based on the 2006 operating revenue from the acquired assets. Any contingent consideration paid will be recorded as goodwill.

 

On August 23, 2005, the Company purchased a fashion industry tradeshow business and related products from the owner of POOL Tradeshow (‘‘Pool’’) for $3.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment which will be completed in 2006. In addition, the Company may pay additional contingent cash consideration to the former owner based on the 2007 and 2008 operating results from the acquired assets and the owner’s continued employment with the Company. Any contingent consideration paid will be recorded as compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

F-11



 

The purchase price working capital adjustment has yet to be finalized. The Company does not believe the final allocation of purchase price will be materially different from preliminary estimates.

 

On August 19, 2005, the Company purchased Project Global Tradeshow, Inc. (‘‘Project”), a producer of tradeshows serving the premium contemporary sector of the fashion industry, for $9.9 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment, which will be completed in 2006. In addition, the Company may pay additional contingent cash consideration to the former shareholders based on the 2007 and 2008 operating results of the acquired assets and their continued employment with the Company. Any contingent consideration paid will be recorded as compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations. The purchase price working capital adjustment has yet to be finalized. The Company does not believe the final allocation of purchase price will be materially different from preliminary estimates.

 

In 2005, the Company completed two other acquisitions of consumer tradeshow businesses with an aggregate purchase price of $0.5 million in cash.

 

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. The Company is required to 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. For the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recorded $0.7 million and $1.5 million of contingent consideration. These charges were recorded as compensation expense in the consolidated statement of operations in the periods indicated. As of December 31, 2004, $1.0 million of the contingent consideration accrual is included in other accrued liabilities and $0.5 million is included in other long-term liabilities. In 2005, the Company paid $0.9 million of contingent consideration to the former shareholders. As of December 31, 2005, the balance of the remaining contingent consideration accrual is $1.3 million and is included in other accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

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.

 

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 of contingent purchase price related to its 2002 acquisition of HT—the Magazine for Healthcare Travel Professionals.

 

The following are the Company’s unaudited pro forma operating results as if the Thomson acquisition had taken place at January 1, 2003. The unaudited pro forma operating results related to all other acquisitions discussed above were immaterial.

 

(in thousands of dollars - unaudited)

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

254,097

 

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(66,535

)

Net loss

 

(62,801

)

 

F-12



 

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 operating results, related income taxes and any gains or losses of the following divestitures (collectively, the “Disposed Businesses”) have been reported in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003. Interest expense was not allocated to any of the Company’s discontinued operations.

 

The assets and liabilities of the following Disposed Businesses are reported as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, where appropriate, in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

Arenacross

In December 2005, the Company closed on the sale of its Arenacross Championship Series business (“Arenacross”) for a total selling price of $0.2 million. The Company recorded a $0.4 million loss on the sale.

 

Revenue of Arenacross included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations was $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Arenacross had no revenue for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

East Coast Fashion

In the second quarter of 2005, the Company discontinued its East Coast Fashion group business (“East Coast Fashion”) and recognized a $2.3 million impairment, which was the carrying value of the related intangibles.

 

Revenue of East Coast Fashion included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations was $0.9 million, $6.1 million and $10.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

 

Portfolio Group

On May 23, 2005, the Company, Advanstar, Inc. and certain affiliates (Advanstar Expositions Canada Limited and Advanstar.com) completed the sale of virtually all business assets and liabilities associated with its tradeshows and conferences, trade publications and direct marketing products in the following primary industries: Information Technology & Communications, Travel/Hospitality, Beauty, Home Entertainment, Abilities and Portfolio, including the shares of the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiaries. The shares of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary were sold to the same buyer in July 2005 after final regulatory approval. Collectively, all of the above properties are referred to as “the Portfolio Group.” The sale price for these assets and shares was $173.8 million in cash, net of selling expenses. The Company recorded a gain on the sale of $52.9 million.

 

Revenue of the Portfolio Group, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, was $49.0 million for the period from January 1, 2005 to May 23, 2005, and $100.8 million and $103.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

F-13



 

DMS

On September 8, 2004, the Company sold its German tradeshow 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. The Company is continuing to incur accounting and legal fees in connection with the closure of its DMS office. These costs will be reported in income (loss) from discontinued operations.

 

Revenue of DMS, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, was $0.1 million for the period from January 1, 2004 to September 8, 2004, and $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

SeCA

On August 5, 2004, the Company completed the sale of its 65% ownership in its French joint venture (“SeCA”) for a total selling price of $3.1 million in cash. In connection with the sale, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9.4 million, net of minority interest effect of $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2004. The impairment charge relates to the Company’s tradeshow reporting segment and 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.

 

Revenue of SeCA, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, was $2.9 million for the period from January 1, 2004 to August 5, 2004, and $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Post

On July 2, 2004, the Company completed the sale of its Post business trade publication (“Post”) for $1.0 million in cash. The Company recorded an after tax loss on the sale of $1.3 million.

 

Revenue of Post, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, was $0.7 million for the period from January 1, 2004 to July 2, 2004 and $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Art Group

On March 12, 2004, the Company completed the sale of its art industry tradeshows and magazines business (the “Art Group”) for a total selling price of $19.6 million in cash. The Company recorded a gain after taxes on the sale of $3.4 million.

 

Revenue of the Art Group, included in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations, was $8.5 million for the period from January 1, 2004 to March 12, 2004, and $10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Assets Held for Sale

 

In the second quarter of 2005, the Company committed to a plan to sell its Cleveland office building and land (“the Cleveland Office”) as a result of the sale of the Portfolio Group. As of December 31, 2005, the Company reported this building and land as assets held for sale and ceased depreciation of these assets, effective second quarter of 2005. The Cleveland Office is reported as assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

F-14



 

The financial results of the Disposed Businesses included in the discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes (including goodwill impairment charge and gain on sale)

 

$

55,961

 

$

(1,664

)

$

17,810

 

Income tax provision

 

16,859

 

5,446

 

13,449

 

Minority interests

 

(566

)

4,264

 

(627

)

Income (loss) from discontinued businesses

 

$

38,536

 

$

(2,846

)

$

3,734

 

 

The Company allocated goodwill to the Disposed Businesses and included the allocated goodwill in its determined gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill allocated to Art, Post, and the Portfolio Group is based on the relative fair values of the Disposed Business to the entire reporting unit prior to disposal.  SeCA and DMS were never integrated into the Company’s broader reporting units. Thus, the carrying amount of acquired goodwill for those businesses was included in the calculation of any gain or loss on disposal.

 

Goodwill allocated to the businesses disposed of and used in the calculation of the gain or loss on sale of the Disposed Businesses by reporting segment was included in discontinued operations in the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Shows
and
Conferences

 

Publications

 

Direct
Marketing
Products
and Other

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Year ended December 31, 2005

 

$

62,857

 

$

52,873

 

$

6,082

 

$

 

$

121,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

19,287

 

4,246

 

 

 

23,533

 

 

F-15



 

The assets held for sale and discontinued operations of the Portfolio Group, East Coast Fashion and the Cleveland Office included in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Assets Held
For Sale

 

Assets Held
For Sale

 

Discontinued
Operations

 

Total

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

 

$

 

$

242

 

$

242

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

 

2,448

 

2,448

 

Total current assets of discontinued operations

 

 

 

2,690

 

2,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

4,620

 

4,648

 

1,174

 

5,822

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

120,789

 

120,789

 

Intangibles and other, net

 

 

 

9,226

 

9,226

 

Total non-current assets of discontinued operations

 

4,620

 

4,648

 

131,189

 

135,837

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other accrued expenses

 

 

 

2,812

 

2,812

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

 

13,074

 

13,074

 

Total current liabilities of discontinued operations

 

 

 

15,886

 

15,886

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

48

 

48

 

Minority interests

 

 

 

3,579

 

3,579

 

Total long-term liabilities of discontinued operations

 

 

 

3,627

 

3,627

 

Net assets of discontinued operations

 

$

4,620

 

$

4,648

 

$

114,366

 

$

119,014

 

 

The Portfolio Group, East Coast Fashion and the Cleveland Office assets included in assets held for sale and discontinued operations in the Company’s reportable segments as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Shows
and
Conferences

 

Publications

 

Direct
Marketing
Products
and Other

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Segment assets at December 31, 2005

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,620

 

$

4,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment assets at December 31, 2004

 

$

71,997

 

$

54,626

 

$

6,082

 

$

5,822

 

$

138,527

 

 

 

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 what management believes are 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. The Company periodically enters into interest rate collar and swap agreements to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on its variable rate debt obligations. The effective portion of the cumulative gain or loss on these agreements are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholder’s equity and recognized in earnings as the underlying interest expense is incurred. The ineffective portion of these agreements are recognized in current earnings. 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) are recognized in current earnings until expired.

 

In 2001 the Company entered into an interest rate collar agreement which expired in February 2004 to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on a portion of its variable rate debt obligations.

 

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 was reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and was 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 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 and British Pound Sterling 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 or expense 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, 2005, 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, 2005 and 2004:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Interest Rate
Collar
Agreements

 

Foreign
Exchange
Contracts

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Unwound from accumulated other comprehensive income during the period

 

(103

)

 

(103

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

The Company had no outstanding derivatives as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

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, 2005 and 2004:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Interest Rate
Collar
Agreements

 

Foreign
Exchange
Contracts

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

$

103

 

$

 

$

103

 

Total statement of operations impact before taxes

 

$

103

 

$

 

$

103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

$

1,319

 

$

71

 

$

1,390

 

Total statement of operations impact before taxes

 

$

1,319

 

$

71

 

$

1,390

 

 

F-18



 

6.                          Debt

 

Credit Facility

The Company is party to a credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of financial institutions acting as lenders. The Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and is collateralized by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors. The Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants, including limitations on certain asset dispositions, dividends, investments and other restricted payments. In addition, the Credit Facility requires a minimum quarterly fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined). Failure to comply with the covenants could cause an event of default under the Credit Facility.

 

Prior to the June 2005 transaction described below, the Credit Facility consisted of (i) $25.0 million of term B loans due October 11, 2008, and (ii) $60.0 million of revolving loan availability through April 11, 2007.

 

In June 2005, the Company repaid the outstanding term B loans with proceeds from the sale of the Portfolio Group (see Note 4) and amended the Credit Facility to allow the Company to retain its revolving loan availability at $60.0 million while allowing for repayment of second lien and junior debt with proceeds from the sale of the Portfolio Group. At December 31, 2005, the Company had $1.1 million of unused letters of credit, which reduce borrowings available under the Credit Facility to $58.9 million.

 

Senior Secured Notes

The Senior Secured Notes consist of $130.0 million of Second Priority Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2008 (the “floating rate notes”), which require quarterly amortization equal to 0.25% of the principal amount thereof, and $300.0 million of 10.75% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2010 (the “fixed rate notes”). Interest on the floating rate notes is payable at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR, which is reset quarterly, plus 7.5%.

 

The Company was required under the Senior Secured Notes indenture to use a portion of the proceeds from the Portfolio Group sale to offer to purchase Senior Secured Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest. In June 2005, the Company consummated that offer and repurchased $8.7 million of the fixed rate notes.

 

Separately, the Company also consummated a tender offer in June 2005 for the floating rate notes and repurchased $117.8 million of the floating rate notes at a price equal to $1,043 plus a consent payment of $30 per $1,000 principal amount tendered, and accrued and unpaid interest to the date of settlement. In connection with the tender offer, the Company and the trustee entered into a supplemental indenture that eliminated substantially all of the restrictive and reporting covenants, certain events of default and certain other provisions with respect to the floating rate notes and released the floating rate notes’ lien on the collateral under the indenture. The floating rate notes and fixed rate notes were initially fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries and 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, including Advanstar). The covenants under the notes include limitations on certain asset dispositions, liens, debt incurrence, dividends, investments and other restricted payments. The fixed rate notes remain collateralized by the collateral and subject to the restrictive covenants in the indenture.

 

F-19



 

In 2005, the Company recognized a $12.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to the repurchase, including $8.6 million in tender offer premium and consent fees, a write-off of $3.5 million in unamortized deferred financing costs, and $0.5 million in legal fees and expenses.

 

Senior Subordinated Notes

The Company’s $160.0 million unsecured, 12% senior subordinated notes due 2011 (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”) bear interest payable semiannually 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 covenants under the Senior Subordinated Notes include limitations on certain asset dispositions, liens, debt incurrence, dividends, investments and other restricted payments.

 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan B, interest at LIBOR plus 4.50%

 

$

 

$

25,000

 

Revolving credit loan, interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%; due April 11, 2007

 

 

 

Second priority senior secured floating rate notes, interest at LIBOR plus 7.5%, 11.89% at December 31, 2005, due 2008

 

9,872

 

128,375

 

10.75% Second priority senior secured notes, due 2010, plus unamortized premium of $680 and $844 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively

 

292,015

 

300,844

 

12% Senior subordinated notes, due 2011

 

160,000

 

160,000

 

Non-interest bearing acquisition note payable, June 2006

 

100

 

 

 

 

461,987

 

614,219

 

Less: Current maturities

 

(201

)

(1,300

)

 

 

$

461,786

 

$

612,919

 

 

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 $35.3 million and $49.5 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

Cash paid for interest for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, was approximately $60.4 million, $67.2 million and $51.1 million, respectively.

 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

$

201

 

2007

 

101

 

2008

 

9,670

 

2009

 

 

2010

 

291,335

 

Thereafter

 

160,000

 

 

 

$

461,307

 

 

F-20



 

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 (“the Plan”). A maximum of 4,072,789 shares of Holdings are authorized for grant to participants under the 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. In 2005, Holdings amended and restated the Plan to accelerate the vesting of certain options granted under the Plan. Although this modification resulted in a new measurement date for all modified options, the intrinsic value on the date of modification was zero and accordingly resulted in no compensation expense. Shares available for grant under the Plan totaled 107,789 at December 31, 2005.

 

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 each if the years ended December 31:

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected dividend yield

 

 

 

 

Expected stock price volatility

 

26.8

%

42.3

%

36.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.3

%

3.6

%

3.8

%

Expected life of options

 

3.5 years

 

5.0 years

 

7.0 years

 

 

Holdings uses comparable public companies in its industry for estimating its expected stock price volatility. Holdings has not declared or paid any cash dividends in the past.

 

A summary of stock option activity under the Plan is as follows:

 

 

 

Options
Outstanding

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2002

 

3,243,750

 

$

10.00

 

Granted

 

600,000

 

10.00

 

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

 

Granted

 

425,000

 

10.00

 

Cancelled

 

(285,000

)

10.00

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

3,965,000

 

$

10.00

 

 

At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the outstanding stock options had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5.2 years and 6.8 years and an exercise price of $10.00 per option. Of the

 

F-21



 

options outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004, 2,762,915 and 2,230,798 were exercisable. The weighted average fair value of grants, as estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, was $4.76, $5.24 and $5.34 per option.

 

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 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, after the employee completes one year of service, to the 401(k) Plan and may 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 $1.4 million, $1.6 million, and $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

 

9.                          Income Taxes

 

The Company’s taxable income or loss is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Holdings. Federal income taxes are paid or refunded 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 Advanstar, Inc. of $2.7 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2005, and 2004 are included in Due to/from parent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

Cash paid for income taxes during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, was $0.9 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million.

 

The summary of loss from continuing operations before (benefit) provision for income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change was as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

(35,460

)

$

(41,550

)

$

(54,881

)

Foreign

 

(1,851

)

(249

)

(5,025

)

 

 

$

(37,311

)

$

(41,799

)

$

(59,906

)

 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

State

 

14

 

7

 

 

Foreign

 

(675

)

20

 

4

 

Deferred

 

(2,071

)

6,491

 

(6,728

)

Total (benefit) provision

 

$

(2,732

)

$

6,518

 

$

(6,724

)

 

F-22



 

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 at which the differences are expected to reverse.

 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net current deferred tax asset

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

467

 

$

16,864

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

5,204

 

6,707

 

Prepaid and other

 

(1,037

)

(372

)

Total net current deferred tax asset

 

4,634

 

23,199

 

Net noncurrent deferred tax asset

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

1,246

 

710

 

Identifiable intangible assets

 

17,575

 

15,996

 

Goodwill

 

(31,500

)

(18,250

)

U.S. net operating loss carryforwards

 

39,252

 

34,222

 

Foreign jurisdiction net operating loss carryforwards

 

8,600

 

10,744

 

Financial derivatives

 

 

(419

)

AMT credit carryforwards

 

453

 

453

 

Total net noncurrent deferred tax asset

 

35,626

 

43,456

 

Valuation allowance

 

(71,760

)

(84,905

)

Net deferred income tax liabilities

 

$

(31,500

)

$

(18,250

)

 

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 tax basis of goodwill being less than the carrying value for financial reporting purposes. Because goodwill is not amortized for financial reporting purposes, the Company has established a deferred tax liability equal to this tax effected basis difference of $31.5 million and $18.3 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004 and has increased the valuation allowance by the same amount. All goodwill resulting from acquisitions during 2005 is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of $105.5 million and $114.4 million. Of these losses, $21.5 million and $26.9 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 at December 31, 2005, $21.5 million have no expiration date and $84.0 million expire at various dates beginning in 2021. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to offset the potential tax benefits of the loss carryforwards and all other deferred tax assets because their realization is uncertain based on the Company’s operating history.

 

F-23



 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit at statutory rates

 

$

(13,059

)

$

(14,630

)

$

(20,967

)

Change in valuation allowance

 

3,352

 

24,155

 

22,901

 

State taxes, net of federal benefit

 

(933

)

(1,045

)

(1,498

)

Foreign rate differential

 

345

 

213

 

(526

)

Permanent difference due to sale of Portfolio Group

 

7,382

 

 

 

Permanent difference due to discontinuation of East Coast Fashion Group

 

852

 

 

 

Other permanent differences

 

280

 

1,006

 

258

 

Other, net

 

(951

)

(3,181

)

(6,892

)

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

$

(2,732

)

$

6,518

 

$

(6,724

)

 

The change in valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2005 includes a $16.5 million valuation allowance offsetting the elimination of a note receivable with Advanstar.com, Inc., due to consolidation of operations with the Company (see Note 13).

 

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 net of sublease rent income of $2.7 million, $0.2 million, and $0.2 million, was $7.0 million, $9.1 million and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Future minimum rent commitments under operating leases with initial terms of one year or more are as follows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

$

7,681

 

2007

 

6,695

 

2008

 

6,451

 

2009

 

4,835

 

2010

 

2,174

 

Thereafter

 

4,919

 

 

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 of probable outcome, the resolution of these matters 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, financial position or cash flows.

 

F-24



 

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: shows and conferences, publications and direct marketing products and other. The shows and conferences segment allows exhibitors a cost-effective means to showcase and sell products and services while developing business relationships with potential customers. The Company’s 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, prepaid expenses and accounts receivable. Revenue, contribution margins and segment assets of the Company’s reportable segments are as follows:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Shows
and
Conferences

 

Publications

 

Direct Marketing
Products
and Other

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Year ended December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

122,239

 

$

148,214

 

$

18,460

 

$

 

$

288,913

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

67,270

 

46,619

 

11,920

 

(5,595

)

 

 

Segment assets

 

431,761

 

224,929

 

26,694

 

83,452

 

766,836

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

107,089

 

$

148,408

 

$

14,915

 

$

 

$

270,412

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

62,598

 

45,912

 

8,496

 

(4,224

)

 

 

Segment assets

 

502,663

 

293,399

 

33,489

 

83,386

 

912,937

 

Year ended December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

90,232

 

$

89,310

 

$

11,156

 

$

 

$

190,698

 

Contribution margin (loss)

 

53,135

 

31,137

 

5,218

 

(3,377

)

 

 

Segmen assets

 

563,055

 

279,792

 

33,349

 

110,394

 

986,590

 

 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment contribution margin

 

$

120,214

 

$

112,782

 

$

86,113

 

General and administrative expense

 

(40,916

)

(39,419

)

(29,654

)

Restructuring charge

 

(4,771

)

 

(2,692

)

Funding of affiliated dot.com company operations

 

 

(3,283

)

(1,121

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(37,755

)

(42,624

)

(43,530

)

Other expense (primarily interest)

 

(74,083

)

(69,255

)

(69,022

)

Consolidated loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

 

$

(37,311

)

$

(41,799

)

$

(59,906

)

 

F-25



 

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

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

280,059

 

$

261,964

 

$

177,710

 

International

 

8,854

 

8,448

 

12,988

 

 

 

$

288,913

 

$

270,412

 

$

190,698

 

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

$

656,077

 

$

671,337

 

International

 

 

 

22,855

 

26,295

 

 

 

 

 

$

678,932

 

$

697,632

 

 

12.                   Restructuring Activities

 

Related to the sale of the Portfolio Group (see Note 4), in May 2005, the Company ceased use of certain leased office space in New York, NY, Milford, CT, and Santa Ana, CA. In the third quarter of 2005, the Company vacated additional leased office space in Milford, CT and Chicago, IL. These activities resulted in charges to the Company’s operations during the year ended December 31, 2005. These charges consist of the discounted remaining future minimum lease payments due under non-cancelable leases, net of estimated future sublease income. These lease commitments expire at various dates through 2010.

 

In connection with the sale of the Portfolio Group and the reorganization of the Company’s healthcare and support department management team restructuring of its operations during 2005, the Company notified 120 employees that they would be severed from the Company. The Company took a charge to operations during the year ended December 31, 2005 for severance and other termination costs. As of December 31, 2005, 116 employees have been terminated. Severance payments will continue into 2006.

 

In September 2003, the Company consolidated its midtown New York leased office space from two floors to one. In December 2003, the Company consolidated its Chester, U.K. leased office space. These actions resulted in a charge to the Company’s operations during the year ended December 31, 2003. These activities included a charge for the present value of future facility rental payments, net of sublease income. The Company will continue to pay facility lease costs, net of sublease income, associated with the previously used facilities through August 2015.

 

F-26



 

Restructuring charges incurred are as follows for the years ended December 31:

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility exit costs

 

$

2,499

 

$

 

$

2,692

 

Employee severance and other termination costs

 

2,272

 

 

 

Restructuring charge

 

$

4,771

 

$

 

$

2,692

 

 

The change in restructuring accruals is as follows (in thousands):

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Facility Exit
Costs

 

Employee
Severance

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

 

$

2,375

 

$

 

$

2,375

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

Utilized-cash

 

(548

)

 

(548

)

Utilized-non-cash

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2004

 

$

1,827

 

$

 

$

1,827

 

Restructuring charge

 

2,499

 

2,272

 

4,771

 

Utilized-cash

 

(914

)

(1,465

)

(2,379

)

Utilized-non-cash

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

3,412

 

$

807

 

$

4,219

 

 

The restructuring accrual balance in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is $4.2 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, of which $2.1 million and $0.5 million is in other accrued expenses at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and $2.1 million and $1.3 million is in other long term liabilities at December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

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 tradeshows. In return, Advanstar.com provides support on its web sites for the Company’s trade publications and tradeshows.

 

Effective January 1, 2005, the Company began consolidating the operations of Advanstar.com with its operations upon the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. As a result of the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 46R, the Company recorded a $4.6 million gain, which was recorded as a cumulative effect of accounting change in the first quarter of 2005.

 

F-27



 

Prior to January 1, 2005, the Company recorded advances and notes issued in support of Advanstar.com operations as an operating expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Net advances and notes charged to the Company’s operations during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $3.3 million and $1.1 million. In May 2004, the Company made a $1.9 million advance to Advanstar.com to fund the settlement of Advanstar.com’s outstanding New York lease obligations.

 

14.                   Related-Party Transactions

 

Financial Advisory Fees and Agreements

In 2003, Credit Suisse Corporation (“CS Corp.”), 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.  CS Corp. was an initial purchaser of the Senior Secured Notes.  The Company paid customary financing fees to CS Corp. for those services. The aggregate amount of all fees paid to the CS Corp. 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 May 2005, the Company paid a consulting fee of $1.5 million to Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC (“CSS (USA)”), affiliate of CS Corp. related to the sale of the Portfolio Group (see Note 4).

 

In June 2005, the Company repurchased $7.1 million of its fixed rate notes at par, and $4.6 million of its floating rate notes at a price equal to 107.3% of principal, from CSS (USA) pursuant to the Company’s tender offer (see Note 6).

 

The Company has agreed to pay CSS (USA) an annual advisory fee of $0.5 million until the earlier of (i) an initial public offering of Holdings, (ii) the date when the DLJ Merchant Banking funds own less than 16-2/3% of the shares of Holdings’ common stock held by them on the closing date of the DLJ Acquisition or (iii) October 11, 2005. This amount was expensed as incurred.

 

Advanstar, Inc. 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, Advanstar, Inc. issued discount notes bearing interest at 15% (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 guarantee the Discount Notes.

 

Advanstar, Inc. is a holding company and its ability to pay interest on the 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.

 

The restricted payments covenants in the Company’s Senior Secured Notes indenture and Senior Subordinated Notes indenture provide that it can pay dividends only if its leverage ratio (as defined) is 6.0 to 1.0 or better and only from “a basket” as defined as the amount by which its cumulative EBITDA (as defined) since January 1, 2001 exceeds 150% of the Company’s cumulative interest expense in that period plus other items including proceeds from equity offerings. The Company’s

 

F-28



 

results are subject to a variety of factors, including general economic conditions and conditions in its markets. Although management believes that as of December 31, 2005, the Company would be permitted to pay dividends, the Company cannot assure you its results will in fact improve to a point to allow it to make distributions in light of these restrictions. Failure to pay the interest on these notes will be a default under the notes and also result in a default under the Company’s Credit Facility, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows and/or could impact the Company’s ability to continue to operate without an amendment or restructuring of its Credit Facility and the notes. Notwithstanding the leverage ratio limitation on restricted payments, the Company can make restricted payments in an aggregate amount of up to $20 million to Advanstar, Inc.  On March 14, 2006, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $12.9 million to Advanstar, Inc. to be used for servicing its debt obligations.

 

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 and senior basis, respectively, jointly and severally, by the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantors are Men’s Apparel Guild in California, Inc., Applied Business teleCommunications, CME2, Inc. and Project Global Tradeshow, Inc. The condensed consolidating financial statements of the guarantors are presented below and should be read in conjunction 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, operating results and cash flows of the guarantors. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the subsidiary guarantors to make distributions to the Company.

 

F-29



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

December 31, 2005

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communications

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

44,108

 

$

1,725

 

$

776

 

$

 

$

46,609

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

23,140

 

446

 

1,021

 

 

24,607

 

Prepaid expenses

 

6,539

 

1,136

 

196

 

 

7,871

 

Other

 

1,929

 

 

36

 

 

1,965

 

Total current assets

 

75,716

 

3,307

 

2,029

 

 

81,052

 

Noncurrent assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due from parent

 

2,232

 

 

 

 

2,232

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

18,360

 

2,778

 

168

 

 

21,306

 

Deferred tax asset

 

3,217

 

502

 

 

(3,719

)

 

Intangible and other assets, net

 

368,693

 

266,246

 

22,687

 

 

657,626

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

515,479

 

 

 

(515,479

)

 

Intercompany receivable

 

 

259,760

 

(5,423

)

(254,337

)

 

Non-current assets of assets held for sale

 

4,620

 

 

 

 

4,620

 

 

 

$

988,317

 

$

532,593

 

$

19,461

 

$

(773,535

)

$

766,836

 

Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

201

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

201

 

Accounts payable

 

10,948

 

449

 

945

 

 

12,342

 

Accrued liabilities

 

29,625

 

8,086

 

283

 

 

37,994

 

Deferred revenue

 

23,585

 

22,840

 

47

 

 

46,472

 

Total current liabilities

 

64,359

 

31,375

 

1,275

 

 

97,009

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

461,786

 

 

 

 

461,786

 

Deferred income taxes and other long-term liabilities

 

36,227

 

3,719

 

206

 

(3,719

)

36,433

 

Intercompany payable

 

254,337

 

 

 

(254,337

)

 

Stockholder’s equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

10

 

8

 

353

 

(361

)

10

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

447,367

 

448,112

 

48,704

 

(496,816

)

447,367

 

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

 

(284,182

)

49,379

 

(39,490

)

(9,889

)

(284,182

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

8,413

 

 

8,413

 

(8,413

)

8,413

 

Total stockholder’s equity

 

171,608

 

497,499

 

17,980

 

(515,479

)

171,608

 

 

 

$

988,317

 

$

532,593

 

$

19,461

 

$

(773,535

)

$

766,836

 

 

F-30



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communications

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

202,463

 

$

77,596

 

$

8,854

 

$

 

$

288,913

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation

 

131,223

 

30,855

 

6,621

 

 

168,699

 

General and administrative

 

36,771

 

1,733

 

2,412

 

 

 

40,916

 

Restructuring charge

 

4,771

 

 

 

 

4,771

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

22,100

 

14,967

 

688

 

 

37,755

 

Total operating expenses

 

194,865

 

47,555

 

9,721

 

 

252,141

 

Operating income

 

7,598

 

30,041

 

(867

)

 

36,772

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(61,611

)

1

 

28

 

 

(61,582

)

Other expense, net

 

(11,412

)

(76

)

(1,013

)

 

(12,501

)

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes andcumulative effect of accounting change

 

(65,425

)

29,966

 

(1,852

)

 

(37,311

)

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(14,410

)

11,669

 

9

 

 

(2,732

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

16,436

 

 

 

(16,436

)

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

(34,579

)

18,297

 

(1,861

)

(16,436

)

(34,579

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued business, net of taxes

 

38,536

 

 

1,795

 

(1,795

)

38,536

 

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change

 

3,957

 

18,297

 

(66

)

(18,231

)

3,957

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change

 

4,618

 

 

 

 

4,618

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

8,575

 

$

18,297

 

$

(66

)

$

(18,231

)

$

8,575

 

 

 

F-31



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communications

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

8,575

 

$

18,297

 

$

(66

)

$

(18,231

)

$

8,575

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

(18,231

)

 

 

18,231

 

 

Gain on derivative financial instruments

 

(103

)

 

 

 

(103

)

Write-off of deferred financing costs

 

3,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,517

 

Impairment of intangible assets

 

2,272

 

 

 

 

2,272

 

Deferred income taxes

 

18,261

 

(5,011

)

 

 

13,250

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

24,791

 

14,967

 

960

 

 

40,718

 

Other non-cash items

 

(72,100

)

321

 

19,277

 

 

(52,502

)

Change in working capital items

 

35,583

 

(14,517

)

(28,485

)

 

(7,419

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

2,565

 

14,057

 

(8,314

)

 

8,308

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(7,485

)

(2,048

)

(31

)

 

(9,564

)

Acquisitions of publications and shows

 

(4,677

)

(10,884

)

 

 

(15,561

)

Proceeds from sale of assets and other

 

172,984

 

 

1,100

 

 

174,084

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

160,822

 

(12,932

)

1,069

 

 

148,959

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of long-term debt

 

(152,167

)

 

 

 

(152,167

)

Dividends paid to minority interest holders

 

(900

)

 

 

 

(900

)

Project grant refunds received

 

 

600

 

 

 

600

 

Deferred financing costs

 

(168

)

 

 

 

(168

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(153,235

)

600

 

 

 

(152,635

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

754

 

 

754

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

10,152

 

1,725

 

(6,491

)

 

5,386

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

33,956

 

 

7,267

 

 

41,223

 

End of year

 

$

44,108

 

$

1,725

 

$

776

 

$

 

$

46,609

 

 

F-32



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

December 31, 2004

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communication

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

33,956

 

$

 

$

7,267

 

$

 

$

41,223

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

25,685

 

 

1,014

 

 

26,699

 

Prepaid expenses

 

4,859

 

1,265

 

282

 

 

6,406

 

Other

 

2,374

 

 

76

 

 

2,450

 

Current assets of discontinued operations

 

813

 

 

1,877

 

 

2,690

 

Total current assets

 

67,687

 

1,265

 

10,516

 

 

79,468

 

Noncurrent assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

16,816

 

1,624

 

277

 

 

18,717

 

Deferred tax asset

 

8,438

 

292

 

 

(8,730

)

 

Intangible and other assets, net

 

374,357

 

269,500

 

35,058

 

 

678,915

 

Investments in subsidiaries

 

514,479

 

 

10,421

 

(524,900

)

 

Intercompany receivable

 

-

 

228,779

 

(4,274

)

(224,505

)

 

Non-current assets of discontinued operations and assets held for sale

 

124,773

 

 

11,064

 

 

135,837

 

 

 

$

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

 

1,172

 

 

13,451

 

Accrued liabilities

 

32,429

 

7,275

 

726

 

 

40,430

 

Deferred revenue

 

23,683

 

15,554

 

45

 

 

39,282

 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

 

10,768

 

 

5,118

 

 

15,886

 

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

 

255

 

(8,730

)

22,479

 

Intercompany payable

 

224,505

 

 

 

(224,505

)

 

Due to parent

 

2,698

 

 

 

 

2,698

 

Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations

 

3,579

 

 

48

 

 

3,627

 

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-33



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

December 31, 2004

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communications

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

193,608

 

$

68,356

 

$

8,448

 

$

 

$

270,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation

 

126,542

 

25,318

 

5,770

 

 

157,630

 

General and administrative

 

36,292

 

1,750

 

1,377

 

 

39,419

 

Funding of affiliated company operations

 

3,283

 

 

 

 

3,283

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

27,900

 

13,967

 

757

 

 

42,624

 

Total operating expenses

 

194,017

 

41,035

 

7,904

 

 

242,956

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(409

)

27,321

 

544

 

 

27,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(70,510

)

 

4

 

 

(70,506

)

Other income (expense), net

 

2,096

 

(49

)

(796

)

 

1,251

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(68,823

)

27,272

 

(248

)

 

(41,799

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(3,688

)

10,206

 

 

 

6,518

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

16,818

 

 

 

(16,818

)

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

 

(48,317

)

17,066

 

(248

)

(16,818

)

(48,317

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations of discontinued business, net of taxes

 

(2,846

)

 

(15,197

)

15,197

 

(2,846

)

Net (loss) income

 

$

(51,163

)

$

17,066

 

$

(15,445

)

$

(1,621

)

$

(51,163

)

 

F-34



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communications

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated
Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

(1,619

)

 

 

1,619

 

 

Gain on derivative financial instruments

 

(1,391

)

 

 

 

(1,391

)

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 non-cash 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 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

)

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-35



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Nonguarantor

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communications

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

114,129

 

$

63,581

 

$

12,988

 

$

 

$

190,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of production and selling, editorial and circulation

 

68,622

 

23,967

 

11,996

 

 

104,585

 

General and administrative

 

26,400

 

1,313

 

1,941

 

 

29,654

 

Restructuring charge

 

2,692

 

 

 

 

2,692

 

Funding of affiliated company operations

 

1,121

 

 

 

 

1,121

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

21,845

 

20,490

 

1,195

 

 

43,530

 

Total operating expenses

 

120,680

 

45,770

 

15,132

 

 

181,582

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(6,551

)

17,811

 

(2,144

)

 

9,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(58,589

)

 

(27

)

 

(58,616

)

Other income, net

 

(7,551

)

 

(2,855

)

 

(10,406

)

(Loss) income from continuing operations

 

(72,691

)

17,811

 

(5,026

)

 

(59,906

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(13,151

)

6,427

 

 

 

(6,724

)

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

 

6,358

 

 

 

(6,358

)

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

 

(53,182

)

11,384

 

(5,026

)

(6,358

)

(53,182

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations of discontinued business, net of taxes

 

3,734

 

(233

)

1,368

 

(1,135

)

3,734

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(49,448

)

$

11,151

 

$

(3,658

)

$

(7,493

)

$

(49,448

)

 

F-36



 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

Nonguarantor

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

(in thousands of dollars)

 

Communications

 

Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

)

Deferred income taxes

 

14,779

 

(7,554

)

(235

)

 

6,990

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

33,788

 

20,492

 

2,323

 

 

56,603

 

Other non-cash 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 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

 

 



 

2. Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedule II¾ Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Advanstar Communications Inc.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

Balance at
Beginning of
Period

 

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

 

Charged to
Other
Accounts

 

Deductions (1)

 

Balance at
End of
Period

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

$

785,000

 

$

1,406,000

 

$

 

$

1,115,000

 

$

1,076,000

 

2004

 

 

838,000

 

605,000

 

 

658,000

 

785,000

 

2003

 

 

859,000

 

521,000

 

 

542,000

 

838,000

 

 


(1)                                  Uncollectible accounts written off.

 

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

 

II-1



 

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)

2.2

 

Asset and share purchase agreement dated April 2, 2005 between Advanstar, Inc. and its subsidiaries and Questex Media Group, Inc. (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2005 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, December 10, 2002, April 19, 2005 and September 30, 2005) (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2005 and October 5, 2005 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)

 

II-2



 

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)

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)

10.3.4

 

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2005 (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2005 and incorporated by reference herein)

10.3.5

 

Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2005 (Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 10-Q Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2005, 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, 2004, 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) +

10.5.3

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement No. 3, effective February 1, 2006, between Advanstar, Inc. and James M. Alic. (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2006 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) +

10.8.1

 

Amended and restated employment agreement by and between Advanstar, Inc., and Joseph Loggia dated April 1, 2005 (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 28, 2005 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) +

 

II-3



 

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) +

10.10.1

 

Letter Agreement by and between Advanstar Holdings Corp., and Douglas B. Fox dated March 6, 2006. (Previously filed as an exhibit to Advanstar Communications Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 29, 2006 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) +

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) +

10.14

 

Agreement, dated June 29, 2000, between Advanstar Communications Inc. and Ward D, Hewins + *

12.1

 

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges *

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Advanstar Communications Inc. *

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

 

II-4



 

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 30, 2006

 

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

 

Chairman of the Board and Director

 

March 30, 2006

 

James M. Alic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph Loggia

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

March 30, 2006

 

Joseph Loggia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David W. Montgomery

 

Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Principal Accounting Officer

 

March 30, 2006

 

David W. Montgomery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ OhSang Kwon

 

Director

 

March 30, 2006

 

OhSang Kwon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Douglas B. Fox

 

Director

 

March 30, 2006

 

Douglas B. Fox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Charles Pieper

 

Director

 

March 30, 2006

 

Charles Pieper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ James Finkelstein

 

Director

 

March 30, 2006

 

James Finkelstein

 

 

 

 

 

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