EXHIBIT 12.1 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES/DEFICIENCY IN THE COVERAGE OF FIXED CHARGES BY EARNINGS BEFORE FIXED CHARGES PREDECESSOR --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FISCAL FIVE MONTHS SEVEN MONTHS YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31 MAY 31, DECEMBER 31 --------------------------------- 1995 1996 1996 1997 1998 1999 ----------- ------------ ------------ --------- --------- --------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Earnings before fixed charges: Income (loss) before income taxes $ (978) $ 4,469 $ (9,338) $ (8,312) $(27,172) $(12,016) Portion of rents representative of interest factor 1,029 382 575 1,024 1,368 1,798 Interest on indebtedness 19,613 6,963 7,511 15,117 27,862 39,888 -------- ---------- -------- -------- --------- -------- Earnings (loss) before fixed charge $ 19,664 $ 11,814 $ (1,252) $ 7,829 $ 2,058 $ 29,670 ======== ========== ======== ======== ========= ======== Fixed charges: Portion of rents representative of interest factor $ 1,029 $ 382 $ 575 $ 1,024 $ 1,368 $ 1,798 Interest on indebtedness 19,613 6,963 7,511 15,117 27,862 39,888 -------- ---------- -------- -------- --------- -------- Total fixed charges $ 20,642 $ 7,345 $ 8,086 $ 16,141 $ 29,230 $ 41,686 ======== ========== ======== ======== ========= ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges - 1.6 - - - - ======== ========== ======== ======== ========= ======== Deficiency in the coverage of fixed charges by earnings before fixed charges $ (978) - (9,338) (8,312) (27,172) (12,016) ======== ========== ======== ======== ========= ======== PREDECESSOR ADVANSTAR ------------------ -------------------------------------- FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, FROM OCTOBER 12, 2000 THROUGH 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 11, DECEMBER 31, COMBINED 2000 2000 2000 ------------------ -------------------- --------- (UNAUDITED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Earnings before fixed charges: Income (loss) before income taxes $ 10,700 $ (21,517) $ (10,817) Portion of rents representative of interest factor 1,821 288 2,109 Interest on indebtedness 38,161 13,765 51,926 ----------------- --------------- ---------- Earnings (loss) before fixed charge $ 50,682 $ (7,464) $ 43,218 ================= =============== ========== Fixed charges: Portion of rents representative of interest factor $ 1,821 $ 288 $ 2,109 Interest on indebtedness 38,161 13,765 51,926 ----------------- --------------- ---------- Total fixed charges $ 39,982 $ 14,053 $ 54,035 ================= =============== ========== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.3 - - ================= =============== ========== Deficiency in the coverage of fixed charges by earnings before fixed charges - (21,517) (10,817) ================= =============== ==========