1 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-62385) of Penton Media Inc. of our report dated February 10, 1999 appearing on page 32 of the Annual Report to Stockholders which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Cleveland, Ohio March 31, 1998