EXHIBIT 12.1 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES THREE MONTHS PRO FORMA PRO FORMA ENDED THREE MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, ENDED --------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, -------------- MARCH 31, 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998 -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------------ ------ ------ ------------ Pretax income from continuing operations before minority interests.............. $(44,759) $(58,901) $ (978) $(4,869) $(8,309) $(8,510) $ (19) $ 474 $7,106 -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ Fixed Charges: Interest expense....... 10,835 13,003 16,328 13,699 14,649 31,100 3,530 3,827 7,773 Amortization of debt discounts............. 4,878 3,901 2,926 813 -- 31 -- -- 10 Amortization of deferred debt cost.... 1,829 1,371 517 146 934 720 229 238 180 Interest factor on rental expense........ 960 940 815 788 900 900 225 216 216 -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ Total fixed charges..... 18,502 19,215 20,586 15,446 16,483 32,751 3,984 4,281 8,179 -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ Pretax earnings before fixed charges.......... 26,257 39,686 19,608 10,577 8,174 24,241 3,965 4,755 15,285 -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ------ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......... -- -- -- -- -- -- 1.00 1.11 1.87 Deficiency of earnings to cover fixed charges................ $ 44,759 $ 58,901 $ 978 $ 4,869 $ 8,309 $ 8,510