<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, DC 20549-1004

                                    FORM 10-K

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934 

     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998


                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-14337

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      DELAWARE                                             36-2875386
------------------                                     -------------------
(State of Incorporation)                                (I.R.S. Employer 
                                                       Identification No.)

                   1100 SUPERIOR AVENUE, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114
               ---------------------------------------------------
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                                  216-696-7000
                                  ------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 (b) OF THE ACT:

TITLE OF EACH CLASS                    NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
-------------------                    -----------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value           New York Stock Exchange

        SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  X         No
    ---          ---

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 [ ]

Aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates as of March 25,
1999 at a closing price of $21.81 per share as reported by the New York Stock
Exchange was approximately $254,648,413. Shares of common stock held by each
officer and director, their respective spouses, and by each person who owns or
may be deemed to own 10% or more of the outstanding common stock have been
excluded because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination
of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other
purposes.

            22,781,713 common shares outstanding as of March 25, 1999

<PAGE>   2

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held on May 7, 1999 are incorporated by reference into Part
III of this report.

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

                                    INDEX TO

                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

                      For The Year Ended December 31, 1998

                                     PART I

Item 1.  Business.
Item 2.  Properties.
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant.

                                     PART II

Item 5.  Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
         Matters.
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.
Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
         Financial Disclosure.

                                    PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

                                     PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.


<PAGE>   3

                                     PART I

Item 1.  BUSINESS.

Recent Developments

     On August 7, 1998, Pittway Corporation completed the tax-free spinoff of
Penton Media, Inc. (the "Company") in a one-for-one distribution of our common
stock for each share of Pittway Corporation stock outstanding, regardless of
class. Immediately following the distribution, we acquired Donohue Meehan
Publishing Company ("DM Publishing"). DM Publishing published three magazines
in the baking and convenience store markets: Modern Baking, Baking Management
and Convenience Store Decisions. It also produced a number of related special
editions and directory and show issues serving the baking and convenience store
markets.

     Prior to the spin-off and our acquisition of DM Publishing we acquired the
following three trade show companies in 1997 for a combined purchase price of
$48.1 million plus contingent payments of up to $13.5 million based on future
earnings:

       -      SYSTEM International ("A/E/C"), which produces conference and
              trade show events for computer and high-tech solutions in the
              architectural, engineering, and construction industries;

       -      Industrial Shows of America ("ISOA"), which produces 24 industrial
              trade shows in the United States and Latin America that focus on
              the machine tool, plant maintenance, supply chain and
              heating/ventilating/air conditioning markets; and

       -      Independent Exhibitions Limited, Equity Information Exchange
              Limited and Service Exhibitions Limited (collectively referred to
              herein as "INDEX"), which is an owner and producer of eight trade
              shows serving the computer, manufacturing and leisure markets in
              the United Kingdom.

       Our strategy to focus on core market segments led to three dispositions
in the 1990s. In 1995, we sold Progressive Architecture magazine, which was a
stand-alone title for our Company in the market it served. Also, in 1995, we
exchanged our Millimeter magazine, a market leader but a stand-alone in serving
the motion picture, television and video production industry, for EEPN magazine,
a property that strengthened our portfolio in the electronic engineering
market. In 1997, we sold Managing Office Technology magazine because the market
served did not fit our strategic plans.

       On October 7, 1998, along with our wholly owned subsidiary, Internet
World Media, Inc., we entered into a merger agreement with Mecklermedia
Corporation ("Mecklermedia") and Alan M. Meckler, its controlling stockholder,
pursuant to which Internet World Media, Inc. launched a tender offer for the
outstanding common stock of Mecklermedia for $29.00 per share. Following the
tender offer, Internet World Media, Inc. merged with and into Mecklermedia, with
Mecklermedia continuing as the surviving corporation.  The transaction value of
the tender offer and the merger was approximately $273.8 million. 


       Mecklermedia provides information through the Internet through its:

              -      Internet World trade shows and conferences;

              -      publication of Internet World, a weekly 
                     business-to-business controlled circulation newspaper;

              -      Boardwatch magazine;

              -      ISP Directory; and

              -      ISPCON Trade shows.

       In May 1998, Mecklermedia acquired all of the outstanding capital stock
of Boardwatch, Inc. and One, Inc. Boardwatch is the publisher of the monthly
trade magazine Boardwatch and One, Inc. is the producer of the ISPCON trade
shows. 

Domestic and Foreign Revenues and Assets

       Domestic sales of our products and services comprised 97.7%, 96.9% and
92.3% of total revenues for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998, respectively. Foreign sales totaled 2.9%, 3.1% and 7.7% of our revenues
for the fiscal years  ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. In
1998, 77% of these foreign sales were to customers in the United Kingdom.
Substantially all of the United Kingdom sales were made by INDEX, a subsidiary
of Penton located in the United Kingdom.

       We intend to further expand into international markets. We have limited
experience in developing localized versions of our publications and trade shows
and conferences and in marketing and distributing them internationally. In
addition, the following risks in international markets could have a material
adverse effect on our future international operations and, consequently, on our
business, results of operations and financial condition:

       -      the uncertainty of product acceptance by different cultures;

       -      the risks of divergent business expectations or cultural 
              incompatibility inherent in establishing joint ventures with 
              foreign partners;

       -      difficulties in staffing and managing multi-national operations;

       -      currency fluctuations;
   
       -      general economic and political uncertainties and potential for 
              social unrest;

       -      limitations on our ability to enforce legal rights and remedies;

       -      state-imposed restrictions on the repatriation of funds; and

       -      potentially adverse tax consequences.

       See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included 
herein for a description of the Company's assets located in the United States 
and in the United Kingdom.

OVERVIEW
 
     Established in 1892, we are a producer of proprietary business
information to professionals in ten industry sectors. We provide integrated
marketing solutions to suppliers in these industries through three principal
media products:
 
          - business and trade magazines;
 
          - trade shows and conferences; and
 
          - electronic media, including Web sites.
 
     We publish 50 trade magazines, produce 118 trade shows and conferences and
maintain 42 Web sites and other electronic media products serving the following
ten industries:
 
<TABLE>
<S>         <C>                                         <C>
            - Internet/Information Technology           - Management
            - Design/Engineering                        - Supply Chain/Aviation
            - Electronics                               - Government/Compliance
            - Manufacturing                             - Mechanical Systems/Construction
            - Food/Hospitality                          - Leisure
</TABLE>
 
 
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
     We serve specific industry sectors with our business publications, our
trade shows and conferences and our electronic media products.
 
In Print: Publications
 
     Trade Magazines. We publish specialized trade magazines in the United
States. According to Advertising Age's annual ranking of magazines in the United
States, Penton publishes two of the ten largest business-to-business magazines,
based on advertising revenues. Our publications are widely recognized for the
quality of our editorial content. Since 1990, our magazines have won nearly 600
editorial awards.
 
     We publish 50 trade magazines with a combined circulation of over 3.2
million subscribers worldwide. Our magazines are primarily
controlled-circulation. They are distributed free-of-charge to qualified
subscribers in our targeted industries.
 
     Our publications generate revenues primarily from the sale of advertising
space. Subscribers to controlled-circulation publications qualify to receive our
magazines by verifying their responsibility for specific job functions,
including purchasing authority. We survey subscribers to our
controlled-circulation magazines annually to verify their continued
qualification.
 
     Circulation information for the majority of our publications is audited
each year by BPA International, an independent auditor of magazine circulation.
These audits verify that we have accurately identified the number and job
responsibilities of qualified subscribers and that those subscribers are,
eligible to receive the relevant publication according to our established
criteria.
 
     Each of our publications has its own advertising sales team and rate
structure. Some advertisers may qualify for discounts based on advertising in
multiple publications. We enable marketers to be more cost efficient in their
advertising purchases by providing a single source for integrated products.
 
     In addition, each of our publications has its own editorial staff,
including writers, designers and production personnel. To preserve the editorial
integrity of each publication's news reporting and analysis, we seek to maintain
separation between the editorial and sales staffs of each publication. We
believe that our reputation for objective, fair and credible editorial content
contributes significantly to our success. Fifteen of our publications have
served their industries for over 50 years.
 
     Our editorial staffs meet frequently with readers of their publications to
maintain a current understanding of the information needs and interests of those
readers in an effort to serve them more effectively. We devote considerable
resources to the study of trends in our industries and strive to make our
publications the most widely used among our targeted audiences. Many of our
editors and contributors are recognized as experts in their fields and are
regularly contacted by the general press to comment on developments and trends
in their respective markets.
 
     Directories and Buyer's Guides. We also publish 32 directories and buyer's
guides, which are respected sources of buying information for industry decision
makers. Most of the business directories we publish have limited competition.
 
IN PERSON: TRADE SHOWS AND CONFERENCES
 
     We produce 118 trade shows and conferences in our ten industry sectors. In
addition to these events, we maintain licensing agreements for 3 trade shows and
we produce 4 trade shows under management contracts.
 
     In the early 1990s, we entered the trade show and conference business and
have more recently expanded our presence through acquisitions. For example, the
acquisition of Mecklermedia in 1998 added the ISPCON and Internet World trade
shows to our portfolio. In addition, we recently expanded our global presence.
In 1997, we acquired INDEX, a United Kingdom-based producer of trade shows, and
ISOA, which is experienced in producing trade shows in Latin America.
 
     Attendees at our trade shows and conferences are professionals and managers
in the industries we serve. Most trade shows include an extensive conference
program, which provides a forum for the exchange and dissemination of
information relevant to the particular event's focus. In addition, most trade
shows have one or more "keynote" sessions with speakers who are known for their
industry knowledge and expertise.
 
     Trade show exhibitors pay a set price per square foot of booth space.
Typically, a majority of each trade show's exhibitors commit to booth space
during that year's show for the following year. In addition, Penton receives
revenues from attendee fees at trade shows and conferences
 
ONLINE: ELECTRONIC MEDIA
 
     Our presence in print and trade show media enables us to market our Web
sites in the industries that we serve. We believe the growth of
electronic publishing will provide opportunities to market existing and develop
new editorial content from our publications in different formats. We currently
maintain 42 Web sites.
 
OTHER
 
     We also provide ancillary information services that complement our
principal business media platforms. These services include:
 
          - Market Access & Business Development Services. We provide a variety
            of marketing services, including database rentals and research
            services. We use information from our subscription lists and other
            available databases to compile detailed mailing lists for rental by
            marketers who want to promote their products and services through
            direct mail programs. We offer these services to our customers to
            help them reach their targeted audience.
 
          - Specialized Advertising Services. We collect and forward reader
            inquiries to our advertisers. In addition, classified and
            recruitment advertising sections in our publications provide a
            cost-efficient medium for reaching prospects who are ready to buy
            specialized products and services. Also recruitment advertising
            provides an effective way to reach qualified professionals seeking
            career opportunities.
 
          - Custom Communications/Promotion. Penton Custom Publishing produces a
            full range of client-specific communications services for print,
            electronic media and the Internet, including newsletters, magazines,
            catalogs, directories, education and training materials, and other
            support materials.
 
          - Research. Penton Research Services offers a full range of primary
            and secondary research services for advertisers and industry
            associates. Primary research is used to develop original statistics
            and analysis based on a variety of research methodologies that may
            include interviews, surveys and focus groups. Secondary research
            makes use of existing research developed by other organizations,
            collating it to answer a specific research need.
 
 
CUSTOMERS
 
     We have more than 5,000 customers and our top ten customers in 1998
accounted for only 5.3% of our total revenue.
 
COMPETITION
 
     We experience intense competition for our products and services. We compete
with several much larger international firms that operate in many markets and
have broad product offerings in publishing, trade shows and conferences. We
compete for readers and advertisers in the publishing marketplace. We also
compete for trade show and exhibition expenditures, sponsorships and show
attendees in the trade show and conference marketplace. Because our industry is
relatively easy to enter, we anticipate that additional competitors may enter
these markets and intensify competition.
 
     Our publications compete on the basis of:
 
     - advertisers' perception of the target audience served by the magazine;
 
     - readers' preference for the publication's content;
 
     - reader's acceptance of the publication's authoritative position in its
       markets;
 
     - editorial quality;
 
     - quantity and quality of circulation;
 
     - readers' response to advertisers' products and services;
 
     - the strength of complementary products serving the same niche; and
 
     - the effectiveness of sales and customer service and advertising rates.
 
     Our trade shows and conferences compete on the basis of:
 
     - the availability of alternative venues,
 
     - the ability to define events for particular market segments and/or with
different strategic positioning,
 
     - the range of competition for exposition dollars, sponsorships and show
and conference attendees.
 
     In addition, in our trade show and conference business, we compete with
many industry associations and, in several countries, the trade show and
conference hall owner and operator may also be a competitor.
 
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     We print nearly all of our own magazines and about 50 outside titles at our
printing facility in Berea, Ohio. If additional printing capacity is needed, we
believe that outside printing services are readily available at competitive
prices.
 
     The principal raw material used in our print publications is paper. We
believe that the existing arrangements providing for the supply of paper are
adequate and that, in any event, alternative sources are available. Paper costs
accounted for about 8.1% of our total operating costs for the year ended
December 31, 1998. Paper prices are affected by a variety of factors, including
demand, capacity, pulp supply and general economic conditions.
 
     Substantially all of our publications and direct mail promotions are
delivered by the United States Postal Service within the continental United
States. Postage costs also represent a significant expense, accounting for about
6.8% of our total operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31,
1998.
 
     We recently announced that we were seeking to explore strategic
alternatives for our printing facility.
 
TRADEMARKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
 
     We regard our copyrights, trademarks, service marks and similar
intellectual property as critical to our success and rely upon copyright and
trademark laws, as well as confidentiality agreements with our employees and
others, to protect our rights. We pursue the registration of our material
trademarks in the United States and, depending upon use, in other countries.
Effective trademark and copyright protection may not be available in every
country in which our publications and services are available.
 
     We may be subject to claims of alleged infringement of our trademarks or
our licensees of trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third
parties from time to time in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe
that these legal proceedings or claims are likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or
results of operations.

SEASONALITY

     For a discussion of seasonality, see Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations--Seasonality." 

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
     We anticipate that compliance with various laws and regulations relating to
protection of the environment will not have a material effect on our capital
expenditures, earnings or competitive position.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     A former shareholder of Mecklermedia, Ariff Alidina, filed suit against us
in the Federal District Court in the Southern District of New York for an
unspecified amount, as well as other relief. The plaintiff claims that we
violated the federal securities laws by selling Mr. Meckler an 80.1% interest in
internet.com for what the plaintiff alleges was a below-market price, thereby
giving to Mr. Meckler more consideration for his common stock in Mecklermedia
than was paid to other stockholders of Mecklermedia. We intend to vigorously
defend this suit and we have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which is
pending.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     On December 31, 1998, we employed about 1,455 persons, primarily located in
the United States. None of our employees is represented by a labor union, and we
consider our relations with our employees to be good.
 
<PAGE>   4
Item 2.  PROPERTIES.

     The Company's principal properties and their general characteristics are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          LEASE          APPROXIMATE
LOCATION                    PRINCIPAL USE                 EXPIRATION     SQUARE FEET
--------                    -------------                 ----------     -----------

<S>                         <C>                           <C>              <C>
Cleveland, Ohio             General Offices               2000           186,000
Cleveland, Ohio             Warehousing                   2001            28,000
Berea, Ohio                 Printing/Warehousing          Owned          138,000
New York, New York          Sales Offices                 2000            10,000
Dunedin, Florida            General Offices               2000            13,000
Safety Harbor, Florida      Warehousing                   1999            18,000
Tampa, Florida              Printing                      2000            15,000
Tampa, Florida              General Offices/Warehousing   1999            19,000
Hasbrouck Heights,          General Offices               2001            25,000
  New Jersey
Westport, Connecticut       General Offices               1999            18,700
</TABLE>

     Other smaller properties include 17 sales and/or editorial offices under
leases expiring through 2013 located in major cities throughout the United
States and in the United Kingdom. We believe our facilities are adequate for our
present needs.

Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     In connection with the acquisition of Mecklermedia Corporation, on December
1, 1998, a lawsuit was brought against the Company by Ariff Alidina (the
"Plaintiff") a former shareholder of Mecklermedia, in Federal District Court in
the Southern District of New York for an unspecified amount, as well as other
relief. The Plaintiff has claimed that the Company violated the federal
securities laws by selling Mr. Meckler, a beneficial owner of approximately 26%
of the shares of Mecklermedia, an 80.1% interest in internet.com for what the
Plaintiff alleges was a below-market price, thereby giving to Mr. Meckler more
consideration for his common stock in Mecklermedia than was paid to other
stockholders of Mecklermedia. The Company intends to vigorously defend this suit
and has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which is pending.

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

     No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth 
quarter of fiscal 1998.

Item 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

The information under Item 4A is furnished pursuant to Instruction 3 of Item
401(b)(3) of Regulation S-K.

     Thomas L. Kemp has served as a Director and as Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since September 1996. Mr. Kemp also served as Chairman of the Board
of the Company from September 1996 to May 1998. Mr. Kemp's publishing career
spans more than 24 years. He spent 22 years with San Francisco based Miller
Freeman, Inc., and was Miller Freeman's President and Chief Operating Officer in
1996, when he left to join our Company. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Kemp was
Miller Freeman's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He also
held a series of executive, publishing management and sales positions with
Miller Freeman subsequent to joining that company in 1974. Mr. Kemp is a
Director and Treasurer of Business Publications Audit International. He is a
Director of the Business Press Educational Foundation and a former Director of
American Business Press and the Association of Medical Publishers. Mr. Kemp is a
frequent speaker at media industry conferences and events. In 1998, Mr. Kemp was
named Business Publishing's "Person of the Year" by MIN magazine.
 
     Daniel J. Ramella has served as a Director of the Company since July 1990.
He has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since 1990, and has
worked for the Company for more than 21 years. Mr. Ramella was Senior Vice
President, Publishing from 1989 to 1990, and Vice President, Foodservice Group
from 1987 to 1989. He was publisher of Restaurant Hospitality magazine from 1985
to 1987. Mr. Ramella held management positions with Production Engineering
magazine between 1977 and 1985. Before joining the Company in 1977, he was a
Senior Audit Manager for Arthur Andersen & Co. He is a Director, Secretary and
Executive Committee Member of American Business Press and has served as a
Director of the Business Press Educational Foundation. He is a former Director,
Treasurer and Executive Committee member of Business Publications Audit
International.
 
 
     Joseph G. NeCastro has served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of
the Company since June 1998. Before joining the Company, Mr. NeCastro spent five
years with Reader's Digest Association, Inc. He was Vice President, Finance for
Reader's Digest USA from 1995 until 1998, Corporate Controller in 1994 and 1995,
and held other corporate financial management positions with that company in
1993 and 1994. Mr. NeCastro was Vice President and Treasurer for U.S. News &
World Report between 1990 and 1993, and Director of Finance from 1987 to 1990.
He held senior business development and finance positions with MCI
Communications Corporation between 1983 and 1987 before moving into the
publishing industry.
 
     James D. Atherton is Group President of the Mechanical Systems/
Construction Government/Compliance, Management, Supply Chain/Aviation,
Industrial Shows of America Groups and Ancillary Products Groups. He has worked
in business publishing at the Company for 45 years. Mr. Atherton was Group
President of the Company's Inside Sales and Electronics Groups from 1991 to
1995, and President of the Electronics Group in 1991. From 1989 to 1991, he was
Senior Vice President of Publishing, and from 1984 to 1989, he was Publishing
Vice President of New Equipment Digest and Material Handling Engineering
magazines. From 1981 to 1984, he was Vice President of New Equipment Digest, and
from 1975 to 1981, he was publisher of that magazine.
 
     David B. Nussbaum has served as Executive Vice President and Group
president of the Company since September 1998. He oversees the Electronics, Used
Equipment and Internet Groups, as well as the Independent Exhibitions, Ltd.
subsidiary. Before joining the Company, Mr. Nussbaum served as Senior Vice
President of the New York Division of Miller Freeman, Inc. from 1995 to August
1998 and as Vice President from 1994 to 1995.
 
     James W. Zaremba is Group President of the Design/Engineering,
Foodservice/Hospitality and Manufacturing Groups and A/E/C SYSTEMS. He has
spent most of his 30-year trade publishing career with the Company. From 1993 to
1995, he was Group President of the Design/Engineering and Custom Communications
Groups, and from 1991 to 1993, he was Group President of the Design/Engineering
Group. He was Group Vice President of the Design/Engineering Group from 1989 to
1991. From 1988 to 1989, he was Publisher of Machine Design magazine, and from
1983 to 1988, he was Publisher of PT Design magazine.
 
     Preston L. Vice has served as Secretary of the Company since July 1998 and
as Senior Vice President of Publishing Services since 1989. Mr. Vice has 19
years of trade publishing experience and 28 years of accounting and finance
experience. He was the Company's Vice President of Finance from 1982 to 1989,
and Director of Finance from 1979 to 1982. Mr. Vice transferred to the Company
from Pittway Corporation in 1979. Previous to his tenure at Pittway he was with
Coopers & Lybrand.
 
     Charles T. Griesemer has served as Vice President/Controller of the Company
since July 1998 and as Vice President of Finance since he joined the Company in
1989. In the preceding 16 years, he held finance positions at Thermos Company,
Anchor Swan Corporation Inc., Pittway Corporation and Coopers & Lybrand.
 
<PAGE>   5
                                     PART II

Item 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER
         MATTERS.

     Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
PME. Our common stock commenced trading on August 10, 1998 after we completed
our spinoff from Pittway Corporation. The following table sets forth, for the
periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the common stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PRICE RANGE OF
                                                                 COMMON STOCK
                                                                --------------
                                                                HIGH      LOW
                                                                -----    -----
<S>                                                             <C>      <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1998:
  Third Quarter (from August 10, 1998)......................     $17      $12 7/8
  Fourth Quarter............................................     $20 1/4  $12 1/2
</TABLE>
  
     On March 25, 1999, the reported last sale price of the Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange was $21.81 per share. The Company has approximately 820
holders of the common stock, as calculated by using the number of record holders
on March 25, 1999. 

     Our dividend policy is determined by our Board of Directors.
We currently pay quarterly dividends in an amount of $0.03 per share. Any
decision to pay dividends in the future will depend on business decisions that
will be made by our Board of Directors from time to time based upon the results
of our operations and financial condition and such other matters as our Board of
Directors considers relevant.

Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     The following table summarizes limited financial data with respect to the
Company. The historical income statement data for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1998 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 1997
and 1998 have been derived from the Company's audited annual financial
statements and related notes. The information set forth below should be read in
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" appearing elsewhere herein. As you read the following, you should
consider that:
 
     - The Company defines EBITDA as operating income before depreciation and
       amortization. EBITDA is often used to analyze and compare companies on
       the basis of operating performance and cash flow. However, EBITDA is not
       adjusted for all non-cash expenses or for working capital, capital
       expenditures and other investment requirements. EBITDA should not be
       considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance
       prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Not
       all companies calculate EBITDA in the same manner, and EBITDA as
       presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by
       other companies.
 

CONSOLIDATED COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)        1998         1997         1996         1995         1994
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA
   Revenues                                       $ 233,118    $ 204,931    $ 188,557    $ 179,900    $ 159,284
   Operating income                                  26,719       25,297       18,499       11,947       10,290
   Income from continuing operations                 10,890       14,874       10,956        8,625        6,062
   Income from discontinued operations                 --           --           --            (48)          51
   Net income                                        10,890       14,874       10,956        8,577        6,113
   Income from continuing operations
     and net income per share, basic and diluted        .50          .70          .52          .40          .29

CASH FLOWS AND OTHER DATA
   Cash flows
      Operating                                   $  25,749    $  23,186    $  20,507    $   7,423    $   5,329
      Investing, including capital
        expenditures                               (271,157)     (53,192)      (4,722)      (4,989)      (5,026)
      Financing                                     246,993       30,854      (15,888)      (1,697)        (668)
   Capital expenditures, excluding
     businesses acquired                              5,775        5,450        4,822        4,989        7,593
   Depreciation and amortization                     10,720        6,551        5,911        5,772        5,596
   EBITDA                                            37,439       31,848       24,410       17,719       15,886

BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD END
   Total assets of continuing operations          $ 479,301    $ 156,426    $ 108,799    $ 116,494    $ 105,901
   Investment in discontinued operations               --           --           --           --          5,241
   Total assets                                     479,301      156,426      108,799      116,494      111,142
   Goodwill and other intangibles                   387,612       71,822       21,940       21,916       22,784
   Stockholders' equity                              87,489       69,613       59,151       70,763       61,847
</TABLE>


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

                  
 
     Set forth below is a discussion and analysis of the Company's financial
condition and results of operations. Such discussion and analysis should be read
in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes appearing
elsewhere herein.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     We are a leading business media company operating in three business
segments: media services, printing and direct mail marketing. Our media services
segment serves specific targeted industries with integrated product
offerings, including, trade magazines, trade shows and conferences, directories,
electronic media products (including Web sites), custom publishing, research,
databases and information products.

     Trade magazine revenues are generated primarily from advertising, which
accounted for 70.0% of total revenue in 1998, 76.0% in 1997 and 78.0% in 1996.
No single advertiser comprised more than 1.2% of our advertising revenue during
1998. The Company's top 10 advertisers accounted for 5.3% of total revenue and
its top 25 customers accounted for less than 8.7% of total revenues in 1998.

Trade show and conference revenues represented 12% of total revenues in 1998,
5.0% in 1997 and 3.0% in 1996. Trade show and conference revenues are derived
from exhibition and meeting space sales, registration fees, and ancillary
services which are recognized at the time of the show. Trade show exhibition
space sales are contracted and partial payment is received as far as one year in
advance of the show, although some refunds may occur prior to the show due to
cancellations. For example, 66% of budgeted exhibit space at our 1999 Internet
World Fall Show was reserved prior to the end of last year's show. Companies
that exhibit at trade shows pay on the basis of the space that their exhibit
occupies. Revenue and related direct event expenses are recognized in the month
in which the event is held. Cash is collected in advance of a trade show or
conference and is recorded on our balance sheet as deferred revenue. We expect
the percentage of total revenues from trade shows and conferences to increase as
a result of the acquisition of Mecklermedia. 

The printing segment prints magazines, catalogs, brochures and direct mail
pieces for the media services segment and outside commercial customers. The
direct mail segment serves primarily the pharmaceutical and business services
markets with the ability to design, produce, print and mail direct mail
campaigns. The Company has announced it is exploring strategic alternatives for
both its printing segment and direct mail segment.
 
The Company was spun off from Pittway Corporation in August 1998. On November
24, 1998, the Company acquired Mecklermedia, a provider of information about the
Internet through various business media products, for $273.8 million. On August
7, 1998, the Company acquired Donohue Meehan Publishing for $7.0 million in
cash, 1,541,638 shares of the Company's common stock and a contingent payment of
up to $4.0 million based on future earnings of Donohue Meehan Publishing.
Donohue Meehan Publishing publishes three magazines in the baking and
convenience store markets: Modern Baking, Baking Management and Convenience
Store Decisions. It also produces a number of related special editions and
directory and show issues serving the baking and convenience store markets. In
1997, Penton acquired three trade show companies -- Independent Exhibitions,
Ltd., Industrial Shows of America and A/E/C SYSTEMS International -- for a
combined purchase price of $48.1 million, plus contingent payments of up to
$13.5 million based on future earnings. All of these acquisitions were accounted
for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the results of the
acquired companies are included in the Company's consolidated statement of
income since their respective dates of acquisition.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth income statement data of the Company
expressed as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              --------------------------
                                                               1996      1997      1998
                                                              ------    ------    ------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues....................................................  100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
Operating expenses:
  Editorial, production and circulation.....................   48.6%     46.1%     43.7%
  Selling, general and administrative.......................   38.5%     38.3%     40.3%
  Depreciation and amortization.............................    3.1%      3.2%      4.6%
                                                              -----     -----     -----
                                                               90.2%     87.7%     88.5%
                                                              -----     -----     -----
Operating income............................................    9.8%     12.3%     11.5%
                                                              -----     -----     -----
Other income (expenses):
  Interest expense..........................................    --       (0.4)%    (2.4)%
  Gain on sale of publications..............................    --        0.5%       --
  Writedown on impairment assets............................    --         --      (0.4)%
                                                              -----     -----     -----
                                                                0.0%      0.1      (2.8)%
                                                              -----     -----     -----
Income before income taxes..................................    9.8%     12.4%      8.6%
Income taxes:
  Current...................................................    3.6%      4.8%      6.1%
  Deferred..................................................    0.4%      0.3%     (2.2)
                                                              -----     -----     -----
                                                                4.0%      5.1%      4.0%
                                                              -----     -----     -----
Net income..................................................    5.8%      7.3%      4.7%
                                                              =====     =====     =====
</TABLE>
 
1998 COMPARED TO 1997
 
  Revenues
 
     Total revenues, after elimination of intersegment sales, increased $28.2
million, or 13.8%, from $204.9 million to $233.1 million.
 
Media services revenues increased $26.5 million, or 14.6%, to $207.7 million.
Advertising revenues from the Company's publishing operations accounted for $7.1
million of the increase, due primarily to the following: (1) the Donohue Meehan
Publishing Company acquisition in August 1998; (2) two new publications launched
in the first quarter, IW Growing Companies and Embedded Systems Development; (3)
the publication of Hydraulics and Pneumatics' Fluid Power Handbook and
Directory, which is published every other year; and (4) higher pricing on other
advertising business. Trade show and conference revenues increased $17.2 million
to $28.0 million in 1998. About $12.0 million of the increase in 1998 was due to
the first-time inclusion of the operations of Independent Exhibitions, Ltd. and
about $5.0 million of this increase was due to Industrial Shows of America. Both
Independent Exhibitions and Industrial Shows of America were acquired in
December 1997. In addition, 1998 includes an increase in the Wireless
Symposium/Portable by Design Conference and Exhibition and approximately $0.8
million related to the addition of Mecklermedia in November 1998. The remaining
increase in media services revenues of $2.1 million relates to other
initiatives.
 
     Printing revenues from external customers increased $1.2 million, or 12.1%,
to $11.6 million. Intercompany sales decreased $0.3 million, or 1.2%, bringing
total segment revenues to $39.8 million.
 
     Direct mail revenues increased $0.5 million, or 3.6%, to $13.8 million. The
increase was primarily in the segment's printing operations.
<PAGE>   6
  Operating Expense. 

     Operating expenses for the Company, after elimination of intersegment
charges, increased $26.8 million, or 14.9%, from $179.6 million in 1997 to
$206.4 million in 1998. As a percentage of revenues, operating costs increased
from 87.6% in 1997 to 88.5% in 1998. The increase in percentage was due
primarily to the increase in depreciation and amortization related to
acquisitions, period costs related to Mecklermedia Corporation and one-time
spin-off and start-up costs. These increases were offset partially by the first
full year of operations of Independent Exhibitions, Ltd. and Industrial Shows of
America.
 
     Editorial, Production and Circulation. Total editorial, production and
circulation expenses, after elimination of intersegment charges, grew to $101.8
million in 1998 compared with $94.6 million in 1997, representing an increase of
$7.2 million, or 7.6%. As a percentage of revenues, editorial, production and
circulation expenses decreased from 46.1% in 1997 to 43.7% in 1998. The decrease
is due largely to the acquisition of Donohue Meehan Publishing in 1998 and to
production improvements.
 
     Media services editorial, production and circulation expenses grew $5.7
million, or 6.9%, due to the inclusion of the Independent Exhibitions and
Industrial Shows of America trade shows acquired in late 1997, which accounted
for $4.7 million of the total production expenses increase. Other expense
increases relate to the acquisition of Donohue Meehan Publishing Company in
August 1998, the acquisition of Mecklermedia Corporation in November 1998 and
the publication of the biennial Fluid Power Handbook and Directory, which was
not published in 1997.
 
     Editorial, production and circulation expense for the printing segment
increased $1.8 million due to volume-related growth of the total business.
 
     Editorial, production and circulation expenses for the direct mail segment
decreased $0.3 million or 3.1% compared with a 3.6% increase in revenue. The
decrease is due largely to productivity improvements.
 
     Selling, General and Administrative. Total selling, general and
administrative expenses grew $15.4 million, or 19.5%, to $93.9 million. As a
percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased
from 38.3% in 1997 to 40.3% in 1998. The increase is due primarily to period
costs related to the acquisition of Mecklermedia Corporation  and one-time
spin-off costs.
 
     Media services selling, general and administrative expenses increased $15.5
million, or 21.6%. The increase was due to: (1) expenses of the Independent
Exhibitions, Ltd. and Industrial Shows of America trade shows held in 1998,
which amounted to $4.9 million and $3.7 million; (2) period costs of the newly
acquired Mecklermedia Corporation trade shows (for which revenues will not be
recognized until those trade shows are held in future periods) in the amount of
$1.7 million; (3) costs related to launching two new publications in the first
quarter, IW Growing Companies and Embedded Systems Development; (4) the Donohue
Meehan Publishing Company acquisition in August 1998; (5) one-time spin-off
costs of about $0.4 million; (6) costs related to the biennial Fluid Power
Handbook and Directory; (7) sales volume growth; and (8) higher charges related
to Pittway stock appreciation rights held by the Company's employees, which will
not recur. Total costs charged to the Company by Pittway for both 1998 and 1997
were $1.4 million.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses of the printing segment were
level with the prior year.
 
     Direct mail selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.2
million, or 4%, due primarily to cost-cutting measures implemented in 1998.
 
     Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased
$4.2 million to $10.7 million. The higher expense was the result primarily of
the amortization of intangible assets associated with the trade shows acquired
in December 1997, the Donohue Meehan Publishing Company acquisition in August
1998, the Mecklermedia Corporation acquisition in November 1998 and, beginning
with the fourth quarter of 1998, the change in Penton's goodwill amortization
policy for acquired trade shows from 40 years to 20 years, which accounted for
$0.3 million of additional amortization in 1998. While this change will
negatively impact the reported earnings per share, it will have no impact on
either EBITDA or after-tax cash flow. The anticipated annual charges for
intangibles related to the Mecklermedia Corporation acquisition in 1999 and
future years is $14.5 million.
 
     Operating Income. Overall, the Company's operating income increased $1.4
million, or 5.6%, to $26.7 million from $25.3 million in the prior year.
Operating income as a percentage of revenue decreased from 12.3% to 11.5%, due
primarily to the increase in depreciation and amortization associated with
Penton's acquisitions.
 
     Media services operating income increased $1.5 million, or 5.5%. This
comprised an increase in publishing of 10.6% to $24.9 million, and a decrease in
trade shows and conferences from $2.5 million to $1.3 million. The increase in
publishing was the result primarily of the acquisition of Donohue Meehan
Publishing Company in 1998. The increase was offset by start-up costs associated
with two magazine launches in 1998, and one-time costs incurred from the
spinoff from Pittway. The decrease in trade shows and conferences was primarily
the result of period costs of the Mecklermedia Corporation acquisition (since
all of 1998's shows occurred prior to the acquisition), higher amortization
expense resulting from acquisitions and the change in Penton's amortization
policy noted above.
 
     Operating income of the printing segment decreased $0.7 million, to $0.8
million.
 
     The direct mail segment recorded an operating loss of $0.3 million compared
with the prior year's operating loss of $1.1 million. The improvement was due
largely to the increase in revenue of this segment's printing operations and
lower production costs.
 
     Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $4.7 million to $5.6 million
due to additional borrowings used to finance the two trade show company
acquisitions in December 1997, the Donohue Meehan Publishing Company acquisition
in August 1998 and the Mecklermedia Corporation acquisition in November 1998.
 
     Other. In 1998, the Company wrote down the carrying value of various
intangible assets by $1.0 million. In 1997, Penton recognized a $1.0 million
gain on the sale of Managing Office Technology magazine.
 
     Effective Tax Rates. The effective tax rates were 45.9% in 1998 and 41.7%
in 1997. The Company's acquisition of Donohue Meehan Publishing Company in
August 1998 and Mecklermedia Corporation in November 1998 resulted in the
recording of goodwill. The amortization of such goodwill is recognized for
financial statement purposes, but is not deductible for tax purposes due to the
structure of the purchase transactions. Accordingly, the company's effective tax
rate has increased in 1998 and is expected to increase in 1999 as well, due to
the full year effect of the acquisitions.
 
1997 COMPARED TO 1996
 
  Revenues
 
     Total revenues, after elimination of intersegment sales, increased $16.3
million, or 8.7%, from $188.6 million to $204.9 million.
 
     Media services revenues increased $14.5 million, or 8.7%, to $181.1
million. Revenues from publishing operations accounted for $9.1 million of the
improvement, due primarily to increased advertising revenues. Advertising
revenues grew 7.1%, resulting from a 1.9% growth in page volume and an overall
improvement of 4% in yield per advertising  page. In addition, the Company
benefitted from the introduction of four publications launched during 1997.
Trade show and conference revenues increased $5.4 million or 100% to $10.8
million due to the inclusion of a full year of operations of the A/E/C SYSTEMS
International trade shows, acquired in January 1997.
<PAGE>   7

     Revenues from the printing segment increased $1.2 million, or 3.1%, to
$39.0 million. The increase in this segment was due principally to the addition
of several new third-party customers, which accounted for a 19% increase in
outside revenue. The media services segment continued to be the printing
segment's principal customer, accounting for $28.6 million of its revenue in
1997 compared to $29.0 million in 1996.
 
     Direct mail revenues increased $0.2 million, or 1.5%, due to strong
performance from the related printing operation, which experienced a 25%, or
$1.8 million, increase in revenue from outside customers, and growth in its
advertising agency business. However, the increases were offset by a decline in
revenues of the direct marketing medical group. This group's revenues declined
for the second consecutive year as pharmaceutical company customers continued to
shift their focus from direct marketing of pharmaceuticals to consumer oriented
mass media advertising.
 
     Operating Expenses. Operating expenses, after elimination of intersegment
charges, increased $9.5 million, or 5.6%, from $170.1 million to $179.6 million.
As a percentage of revenues, operation costs decreased from 90.2% in 1996 to
87.7% in 1997. The improvement was due primarily to productivity improvements,
cost cutting measures and the acquisition of A/E/C SYSTEMS International in
January 1997.
 
     Editorial, Production and Circulation. Total editorial, production and
circulation expense, after elimination of intersegment charges, grew to $94.6
million in 1997 compared with $91.6 million in 1996, representing an increase of
$3.0 million, or 3.2%. As a percent of revenues, editorial, production and
circulation expenses decreased from 48.5% in 1996 to 46.1% in 1997. The decrease
was due primarily to the higher margins of the A/E/C SYSTEMS International trade
shows and lower paper expenses.
 
     Media services editorial, production and circulation expense increased $1.5
million, or 1.8%, to $80.4 million, due primarily to additional expenses related
to the inclusion of a full year's operations of A/E/C SYSTEMS International, new
product launches during the year and volume-related growth. These increases were
offset partially by savings resulting from productivity improvements and lower
paper expenses.
 
     Editorial, production and circulation expense for the printing segment
increased $0.6 million, or 2%, to $3.5 million, which was attributable primarily
to the increase in volume of outside sales.
 
     Editorial, production and circulation expense for the direct mail segment
increased $0.4 million, or 4.5%, to $9.3 million. The increase was attributable
primarily to the growth of printing and advertising agency group sales volume,
offset by a reduction in expenses attributable to lower sales volume of the
direct marketing medical group.
 
     Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and
administrative costs of media services increased $5.3 million, or 8%. The
increase was due principally to an increase in selling expenses resulting from
the growth in revenue, inclusion of a full year's operations of the A/E/C
SYSTEMS International trade shows, and the addition of staff to support new
product launches.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses of the printing segment
increased $0.2 million, or 11%, primarily from selling expenses associated with
the increase in sales volume.
 
     Direct mail selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.4
million as a result of increased selling costs associated with higher sales
volume and an expanded number of customer presentations and related promotion
costs.
 
     Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization increased
$0.6 million to $6.5 million. The higher expense was the result primarily of
capital equipment additions and increased amortization of intangible assets
associated with the A/E/C SYSTEMS International trade shows acquired in January
1997.
 
  Operating Income.  

     Overall, the Company's operating income increased $6.8 million, or 36.7%,
to $25.3 million compared with $18.5 million. Operating income as a percentage
of revenue increased to 12.3% from 9.8%, reflecting the benefits achieved from
increased revenue; favorable shifts in product mix, including the addition of
the A/E/C SYSTEMS International trade shows; and improved productivity.
 
     Media services operating income increased $7.2 million, or 40.6%, to $24.9
million. In 1995, Penton implemented a number of programs to improve
productivity, reduce costs and streamline operations. These efforts continued in
1997, resulting in operating savings. Combined with the favorable impact of
revenue growth, productivity improvement and reduced paper costs, operating
income improved from 10.6% of total media services revenue to 13.7%.
 
     Operating income from the printing segment improved 20.3% to $1.5 million.
The increase was due primarily to higher sales volume coupled with the benefits
of reduced paper costs.
 
     Direct mail operating losses increased $0.6 million to $1.1 million from
$0.5 million, due principally to the decrease in revenue of the direct marketing
medical group and development costs associated with a physicians retraining
program.
 
  Other Income (Expense)
 
     In 1997, other income (expense) included a $1.0 million gain on the sale of
Managing Office Technology magazine, offset by $0.8 million of interest expense
incurred as a result of borrowings used to finance acquisitions.
 
  Effective Tax Rates
 
     The effective tax rates were 41.7% and 40.7% in 1997 and 1996,
respectively. An analysis of Penton's effective tax rate appears in the
Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Historically, cash flow generated by the Company's operations has been used
to invest in capital assets, finance acquisitions and reduce debt. Prior to the
spinoff's excess cash was used to pay dividends to Pittway Corporation, its
former parent company.
 
     Cash flow provided by operations in 1998 was $25.7 million, up $2.5 million
from $23.2 million in 1997. The increase in 1998 was due primarily to an
increase in unearned income (primarily advance deposits related to
fourth-quarter trade shows), accounts payable and accrued expenses. Partially
offsetting this increase were lower net income, increases in accounts
receivable, prepayments and deposits.
 
     Cash from operating activities was used for capital expenditures; to make
cash distributions to Pittway, including final settlement of intercompany
balances existing at the spin-off date; and to pay dividends to the Company's
stockholders. Capital expenditures for 1996 were $4.8 million, 1997 were $5.5
million and 1998 were $5.8 million. We anticipate that our total capital
expenditures for 1999 will be about $6.5 million, which will be used primarily
to upgrade Penton's information technology systems. We plan to fund these
expenditures from cash flow from operations, and, if necessary, borrowings under
our credit facilities.
 
     On August 7, 1998, the Company entered into a five-year, $75.0 million
unsecured revolving credit agreement. The Company's short-term notes payable
were refinanced with this facility, which was also utilized to finance the cash
portion of the acquisition price of Donohue Meehan Publishing Company. On
November 24, 1998, the Company entered into a credit agreement with several
banks under which it may borrow up to $325.0 million.
 
<PAGE>   8
     The agreement provides for a revolving loan facility of up to $25.0
million, a long-term loan of $175.0 million (Term Loan A) and a long-term loan
of $125.0 million (Term Loan B). The proceeds of this credit agreement were used
to repay Penton's debt outstanding under the $75.0 million revolving credit
facility obtained at the spin-off date and to purchase Mecklermedia Corporation.
At December 31, 1998, $306.0 million was outstanding under the credit agreement.
The Company and the banks intend to amend this agreement to enable the Company
to borrow an additional $15.0 million as part of the Term Loan B facility to be
effective in April 1999. 
 
     The Term Loans under this credit facility amortize quarterly. The Company
must repay Term Loan A in aggregate annual amounts of $10 million in each of
1999 and 2000, $20 million 2001, $25 million in 2002, $30 million in 2003, and
$40 million in 2004, with the balance payable in 2005. The Company must repay
Term Loan B in aggregate annual amounts of $1.25 million in each of 1999 through
2005, with the balance payable in 2006.

     The interest rate for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and
Term Loan A is, at the option of the Company, LIBOR plus 2.75% or the Base Rate
plus 1.75%. After late May 1999, the interest rate for borrowings under the
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan A will become variable, ranging from
LIBOR plus 2.25% to 3.00% or the Base Rate plus 1.25% to 2.00%, depending on the
Company's debt to EBITDA ratio. The interest rate for Term Loan B is, at the
option of the Company, LIBOR plus 3.50% or the Base Rate plus 2.50%.

     The Company must pay quarterly fees for letters of credit issued under the
Credit Agreement. Currently, the Company must pay (i) a 0.25% per annum fee to
the issuing bank and (ii) a 2.75% per annum fee shared by all lenders, both of
which are based on the amount available for drawing under outstanding letters of
credit. After late May 1999, the latter fee will become variable, and will range
from 2.25% to 3.00% depending on the Company's debt to EBITDA ratio. 

     All existing (and future) domestic subsidiaries of the Company (the
"Guarantors") have guaranteed (or will guaranty) indebtedness incurred under the
Credit Agreement.

     The credit facility contains customary and appropriate representations and
warranties, including those relating to due organization and authorization,
enforceability, financial condition, no material adverse changes, title to
properties, liens, litigation, payment of taxes, no material adverse agreements,
employee benefit liabilities, environmental liabilities, perfection and priority
of liens securing debt incurred under the Credit Agreement, and full disclosure.

     The credit facility also contains customary affirmative and negative
covenants, including but not limited to furnishing information and limitations
on other indebtedness, liens, investments, guarantees, restricted payments,
mergers and acquisitions, sales of assets, capital expenditures, leases,
affiliate transactions, and conduct of business. The facility also contains
customary financial covenants, including those relating to: minimum interest
coverage, minimum fixed charge coverage, minimum EBITDA and maximum leverage.

     Events of default under the credit facility include events of default
relating to: (a) nonpayment of interest, principal or fees payable under the
credit facility; (b) nonperformance of covenants; (c) cross-default to other
material agreements and debt of the company and its subsidiaries; (d) bankruptcy
or insolvency; (e) judgments in excess of specified amounts; (f) impairment of
security interests in collateral; (g) invalidity of guarantees; (h) materially
inaccurate or false representations or warranties and (i) change of control.
 
     Based upon current and anticipated levels of operations, we believe that
our cash on hand and cash flow from operations, combined with borrowings
available under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to enable us to meet
our current and anticipated cash operating requirements, including scheduled
interest and principal payments, capital expenditures and working capital needs.
However, actual capital requirements may change, particularly as a result of any
acquisitions which we may make. Our ability to meet current and anticipated
operating requirements will be dependent upon our future performance which, in
turn, will be subject to general economic conditions and to financial, business
and other factors, including factors beyond our control. Depending on the
nature, size and timing of future acquisitions, we may be required to raise
additional capital through additional financing arrangements or the issuance of
private or public debt or equity securities of the Company. We cannot assure you
that such additional financing will be available on acceptable terms.
Substantially all of our debt bears interest at floating rates. Therefore, our
liquidity and financial condition is and will continue to be affected by changes
in prevailing interest rates.
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY
 
     The functional currency of the Company's foreign operations acquired in
December 1997 is the local currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of
foreign operations are translated to United States dollars at the rates of
exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expense are translated
at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. There were no
significant foreign currency transaction gains or losses during 1998 or 1997.
 
SEASONALITY
 
     Historically, the Company has not experienced significant seasonality in
its business. The introduction of trade shows and conferences into the Company's
product mix through the acquisitions of Independent Exhibitions, Ltd. and
Industrial Shows of America in late 1997, and the acquisition of Mecklermedia
Corporation in November 1998, has changed the seasonal pattern of revenue and
profit, as all three companies have pronounced seasonal patterns in their
businesses. The majority of the trade shows owned by Industrial Shows of America
and Mecklermedia Corporation are held in the second and fourth quarters and,
accordingly, the majority of their revenue is recognized in these quarters.
Further, the majority of the Independent Exhibitions, Ltd. shows historically
have been held in the fourth quarter. Accordingly, the Company anticipates that
these acquisitions will have a positive impact on revenue and profit for these
quarters.
 
     The Company may also experience seasonality fluctuations as trade shows and
conferences held in one period in the current year may be held in a different
period in future years.
 
INFLATION
 
     The impact of inflation on the Company's results of operations has not been
significant in recent years.
 
ACCOUNTING CHANGES
 
     In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). The Company is required to
adopt this statement in the first quarter of 2000. Management does not believe
this statement will have a material impact on the Company's business, results of
operations or financial condition.
 
EURO CONVERSION
 
     On January 1, 1999, eleven of the 15 participating countries that are
members of the European Union established a new uniform currency known as the
"Euro." The currency existing prior to such date in the participating countries
will be phased out during the transition period commencing January 1, 1999 and
ending January 1, 2002. During such transition period both the Euro and the
existing currency will be available in the participating countries. Although the
Company generates revenues in some of the participating countries, management
does not anticipate that the introduction and use of the Euro will materially
affect Penton's business, results of operations or financial condition.
  
<PAGE>   9

YEAR 2000

  General
 
     The year 2000 issue is the result of computer programs that were written
using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year. If our computer
programs with date-sensitive functions are not year 2000 compliant, they may
recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This
could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of
operations, including, among other things, a temporary inability to process
transactions, send invoices or engage in similar normal business activities.
 
     Our year 2000 project is proceeding as scheduled. Some of our systems and
related software are already year 2000 compliant, and our project is designed to
bring the remaining software and systems into year 2000 compliance in time to
minimize any significant detrimental effects on operations. Our project covers
information systems infrastructure, financial and administrative systems,
production and circulation operating systems and significant vendors and
customers.
 
  Project
 
     The first component of our project is to identify the internal business
systems and non-information-technology systems of Penton and our operating
subsidiaries that are susceptible to system failures or processing errors as a
result of the year 2000 issue. This effort is substantially complete with all
business systems identified and priorities established for repair or
replacement. Those systems considered most critical to continuing operations are
being given the highest priority.
 
     The second component of our project involves the actual remediation and
replacement of the various business systems. Our company and our operating
subsidiaries are using both internal and external resources to complete this
process. Systems ranked highest in priority have either been remediated or
replaced or scheduled for remediation or replacement including the replacement
of the primary general ledger and accounts payable systems with programs from a
national software vendor. Our objective is to complete substantially all
remediation and replacement of internal systems by July 1999, and to complete
final testing and certification for readiness by the end of the third quarter of
1999.
 
     As part of the second component of our project, significant service
providers, vendors, suppliers and customers that are believed to be critical to
our business operations after January 1, 2000, have been identified and steps
are being taken in an attempt to reasonably ascertain their state of year 2000
readiness through questionnaires, inquiries and other available means. This
process is progressing according to plan.
 
<PAGE>   10
 
  Costs
 
     It is currently estimated that the aggregate incremental cost of our
efforts will range from $0.3 million to $0.8 million, of which about $0.2
million has been spent. These costs are being expensed as they are incurred and
are being funded through operating cash flow. These amounts do not include any
costs associated with the implementation of contingency plans, which are in the
process of being developed to supplement our existing disaster recovery plan.
The costs associated with the replacement of computerized systems, hardware or
equipment is currently estimated to be about $0.5 million, substantially all of
which would be capitalized, and is not included in the above estimates.
 
  Risks
 
     The failure to correct a material year 2000 problem could result in an
interruption in, or a failure of, our normal business activities or operations.
These failures could materially and adversely affect our results of operations,
liquidity and financial condition. Due to the general uncertainty inherent in
the year 2000 problem, resulting in part from the uncertainty of the year 2000
readiness of third-party suppliers and customers, we are unable to determine at
this time whether the consequences of year 2000 failures will have a material
impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition. Our Year
2000 project is expected to significantly reduce our level of uncertainty about
the year 2000 problem and, in particular, about the year 2000 compliance and
readiness of its material external agents. We believe that, with the
implementation of new business systems and completion of our project as
scheduled, the possibility of significant interruptions of normal operations
should be reduced.
 
     Our project readiness program is an ongoing process and the estimates of
costs and completion dates for various components of our project readiness
program described above are subject to change. Based on the company's assessment
and evaluation of its year 2000 readiness, it believes that the most reasonably
likely worst case scenario includes a temporary shut-down of Penton's press. We
estimate that a one-month stoppage of our publishing operations could lead to a
loss of operating income of about $9.4 million.
<PAGE>   11
   

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. 

     The Company's major market risk exposure is due primarily to possible 
fluctuations in interest rates as they relate to its variable rate debt. The 
Company currently has a credit agreement with three components as follows: (1) 
$25 million revolving credit facility which has an interest rate, at the option 
of the Company, of LIBOR plus 2.75% or the Base Rate plus 1.75%; (2) $175.0 
million Term Loan A with the same interest rate as the revolving credit 
facility; and (3) $125.0 million Term Loan B which has an interest rate, at the 
option of the Company, of LIBOR plus 3.50% or the Base Rate plus 2.50%.

     The Company does not enter into derivative financial investments for 
trading or speculation purposes. Overall, the Company believes that its market 
risk exposure is not material to the Company's financial position, liquidity or 
results of operations.
<PAGE>   12



                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE


Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA.

Financial Statements:

                                                                         
                                                                         
         Report of Independent Accountants............................... 
         Consolidated Statements of Income for the years             
            ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.......................
         Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1998 and 1997.......
         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years         
            ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.......................
         Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
            years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.................
         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................

Financial Statement Schedules:

         Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule II                   
            Valuation and Qualifying Accounts............................

All other schedules have been omitted because the required information is not
present, or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the
schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated
financial statements or notes thereto.



                                        
                                   
<PAGE>   13


                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                          

To the Board of Directors of Penton Media, Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedule as listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Penton Media, Inc. (formerly Penton
Publishing, Inc. and, prior to August 7, 1998, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Pittway Corporation) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1998, and 1997, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of
Penton Media, Inc.'s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP


Cleveland, Ohio
February 10, 1999
<PAGE>   14
PENTON MEDIA INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    For the years ended December 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)        1998         1997         1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>      
Revenues                                           $ 233,118    $ 204,931    $ 188,557
                                                   -----------------------------------
Operating Expenses:

    Editorial, production and circulation            101,793       94,560       91,581
    Selling, general and administrative               93,886       78,523       72,566
    Depreciation and amortization                     10,720        6,551        5,911
                                                   -----------------------------------
                                                     206,399      179,634      170,058
                                                   -----------------------------------
Operating income                                      26,719       25,297       18,499
                                                   -----------------------------------
Other income (expense):
    Interest expense                                  (5,558)        (841)         (34)
    Gain on sale of publications                          --        1,040           --
    Writedown on impairment of assets                 (1,000)          --           --
    Miscellaneous, net                                   (28)          10           17
                                                   -----------------------------------
                                                      (6,586)         209          (17)
                                                   -----------------------------------
Income before income taxes                            20,133       25,506       18,482
                                                   -----------------------------------
Income Taxes:
    Current                                           14,336        9,754        6,733
    Deferred                                          (5,093)         878          793
                                                   -----------------------------------
                                                       9,243       10,632        7,526
                                                   -----------------------------------
Net income                                         $  10,890    $  14,874    $  10,956
                                                   -----------------------------------
Per share data:
Earnings per common share - basic and diluted:

         Net income                                $     .50    $     .70    $     .52
                                                   ===================================
Average number of shares outstanding                  21,882       21,240       21,240
                                                   ===================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
<PAGE>   15

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)                                                                         1998         1997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                       <C>          <C>      
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash                                                                                    $   3,953    $   2,419
  Accounts and notes receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
    of $4,899 and $2,406 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                                      37,956       29,363
  Inventories                                                                                 2,361        2,429
  Deferred tax assets                                                                         5,797        2,851
  Prepayments, deposits and other                                                             8,086        3,886
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                             58,153       40,948
                                                                                          ----------------------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
  Buildings                                                                                   6,170        6,168
  Machinery and equipment                                                                    69,730       60,493
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                             75,900       66,661
  Less: accumulated depreciation                                                             47,395       39,845
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                             28,505       26,816
                                                                                          ----------------------
  Land                                                                                          426          426
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                             28,931       27,242
                                                                                          ----------------------
Other assets:

  Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of
    $10,129 and $6,192 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                                       340,706       65,460
  Other intangibles, less accumulated amortization of
    $7,828 and $5,443 in 1998 and 1997, respectively                                         46,906        6,362
  Deferred tax assets                                                                            --        4,067
  Investment in joint venture                                                                 4,472           --
  Due from parent company                                                                        --       12,212
  Other                                                                                         133          135
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                            392,217       88,236
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                          $ 479,301    $ 156,426
                                                                                          ======================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Senior debt facility                                                                    $  11,250    $      --
  Revolving credit facility                                                                   6,000           --
  Notes payable                                                                               1,000       34,170
  Accounts payable                                                                           10,823        9,427
  Income taxes payable                                                                        8,059           --
  Accrued compensation and benefits                                                           9,644        9,081
  Other accrued expenses                                                                     17,522        8,383
  Unearned income, principally trade show and conference deposits                            14,564        5,203
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                             78,862       66,264
                                                                                          ----------------------
Long-term liabilities and deferred credits:
  Senior debt facility                                                                      288,750           --
  Net deferred pension credits                                                               18,007       19,592
  Deferred taxes                                                                              5,313           --
  Other                                                                                         880          957
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                            312,950       20,549
                                                                                          ----------------------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized; 22,781,713 and 21,240,000          --           --
    shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1998, and 1997, respectively                  228          212

  Capital in excess of par value                                                             55,050       29,630
  Retained earnings                                                                          32,262       39,771
  Other comprehensive income                                                                    (51)          --
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                             87,489       69,613
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                                                          $ 479,301    $ 156,426
                                                                                          ======================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.
<PAGE>   16

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)                                          1998         1997         1996
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>      
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                               $  10,890    $  14,874    $  10,956
  Adjustments to reconcile income from operations to
  net cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                             10,720        6,551        5,911
    Deferred income taxes                                     (5,093)         878          793
    Retirement and deferred compensation plans                (1,584)      (2,000)      (2,032)
    Provision for losses on accounts receivable                  282          662          948
    Writedown on impairment of assets                          1,000           --           --
    Gain on sale of publications                                  --       (1,040)          --

    Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding
    effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
      Accounts and notes receivable                           (1,960)       1,261       (2,313)
      Inventories                                                284          931           37
      Prepayments and deposits                                (1,481)         630           94
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses                   10,170        1,584        5,952
      Unearned income                                          2,421         (552)         687
      Other changes, net                                         100         (593)        (526)
                                                           -----------------------------------
        Net cash provided by continuing operations            25,749       23,186       20,507
                                                           -----------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures, excluding businesses acquired         (5,775)      (5,450)      (4,822)
  Net assets of businesses acquired, net of cash            (283,382)     (48,733)        (900)
  Proceeds from sale of Internet.com                          18,000           --           --
  Proceeds from sale of publications                              --          991        1,000
                                                           -----------------------------------
        Net cash used by investing activities               (271,157)     (53,192)      (4,722)
                                                           -----------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from senior debt facility                         300,000           --           --
  Proceeds from revolving credit facility                      6,000           --           --
  Payment of financing costs                                 (14,754)          --           --
  Increase in notes payable                                       --       48,342           --
  Prepayments of notes payable                               (38,066)     (14,000)          --
  Dividends to parent company                                 (4,820)      (4,412)     (22,567)
  Dividends to shareholders                                   (1,367)          --           --
  Advances from parent company                                    --          924        6,679
                                                           -----------------------------------
        Net cash provided (used) by financing activities     246,993       30,854      (15,888)
                                                           -----------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate                                          (51)          --           --
                                                           -----------------------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash                                1,534          848         (103)
Cash at beginning of period                                    2,419        1,571        1,674
                                                           -----------------------------------
Cash at end of period                                      $   3,953    $   2,419    $   1,571
                                                           ===================================
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
  Interest paid                                            $   5,545    $     841    $      35
                                                           ===================================
  Income taxes paid                                        $  10,026    $  10,759    $   8,823
                                                           ===================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.
<PAGE>   17

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       CAPITAL IN      OTHER
(Dollars in thousands,           PREFERRED     COMMON        STOCK      EXCESS OF   COMPREHENSIVE   RETAINED
except per share data)            SHARES       SHARES      PAR VALUE    PAR VALUE      INCOME       EARNINGS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>      
Balance - December 31, 1995         --          21,240      $   212      $29,630      $    --       $40,920
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                                                                                         10,956
  Dividends                                                                                         (22,567)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - December 31, 1996         --          21,240          212       29,630           --        29,309
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                                                                                         14,874
  Dividends                                                                                          (4,412)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - December 31, 1997         --          21,240          212       29,630           --        39,771
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                                                                                         10,890
  Dividends                                                                                          (1,367)
  Issuance of common stock
    with Donohue/Meehan
    Publishing combination                       1,542           16       25,420
  Dividend to Pittway                                                                               (17,032)
  Cumulative foreign
    currency translation                                                                  (51)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - December 31, 1998         --          22,782      $   228      $55,050      $   (51)      $32,262
                                 ===========================================================================
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
statements.
<PAGE>   18

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF BUSINESS

Penton Media, Inc., formerly known as Penton Publishing, Inc. ("Penton" or the
"Company") is a business media company that publishes magazines and electronic
media, produces trade shows and conferences, and provides marketing and business
development products and services, including direct mail lists, research and
custom publishing. Penton serves the design/engineering; electronics;
Internet/IT; food/hospitality; government/compliance; leisure; management;
manufacturing; mechanical systems/construction; and supply chain/aviation
markets.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Penton and its
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs included in
inventories are raw materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Cost of
substantially all of the paper and ink stock is determined by using the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method, while the remaining inventories are valued primarily
using the average cost method.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. The Company records
depreciation, using the straight-line method, in amounts sufficient to write off
the cost of depreciable assets over the following estimated useful lives:

Computer equipment                   3-5 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment   3-10 years
Buildings                          18-40 years
Leasehold improvements             Estimated useful lives
                                   or lease term,
                                   whichever is shorter

     Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $6.2 million, $5.3 million
and $5.0 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

     Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to appropriate expense
accounts in the period incurred; replacements, renewals and betterments are
capitalized. Upon sale or other disposition of property, the cost and
accumulated depreciation of such properties are eliminated from the accounts and
the gains or losses thereon are reflected in results of operations.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill, trademarks and trade names acquired in purchase transactions are
amortized using the straight-line method over periods ranging from 20 to 40
years.

     Other intangibles acquired in purchase transactions or developed
internally, consisting of non-compete agreements, customer mailing lists,
exhibitor lists, and patents and copyrights, are being amortized using the
straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 15
years. 

     Amortization expense amounted to approximately $4.6 million, $1.3 million
and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

     When conditions warrant, the Company reviews the carrying value of its
intangible assets and property and equipment to determine whether an impairment
may exist. The Company considers relevant cash flow, estimated future operating
trends and other available information in assessing whether the carrying value
of these assets can be recovered. In December 1998, the Company wrote down the
carrying value of various intangible assets by $1.0 million, determined using
the expected future cash flows generated from, and market value of, the various
ventures.

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS

Costs incurred in obtaining long-term financing are included in other intangible
assets in the accompanying balance sheet and are amortized over the terms of the
related debt agreements; such amortization is reflected as amortization expense
in the consolidated statements of income.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Advertising revenues from the Company's trade magazines are recognized in the
month the publications are mailed. Revenues from trade shows and conferences are
recognized in the month the events are held. Licensing revenues are recognized
on a straight-line basis over the term of the license agreements.

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION EXPENSES

Advertising and promotion costs are expensed primarily as incurred. These costs
amounted to $12.4 million, $8.4 million and $9.3 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
<PAGE>   19
                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

INCOME TAXES

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income
Taxes" ("SFAS 109"). SFAS 109 requires an asset and liability approach, which
requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for
the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the
carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Valuation
allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized.

     For periods prior to and including the date of the spinoff (see Note 2),
the results of the Company were included in Pittway Corporation's consolidated
U.S. federal income tax returns. The provision for income taxes included in the
consolidated statements of income represented an allocated share of Pittway's
tax expense. The allocated share approximated the tax expense that would have
been incurred on a separate return basis. The liability for income taxes payable
at December 31, 1997, was recorded by Pittway.

     Pursuant to the Combination Agreement (see Note 2), the Company is required
to indemnify Pittway for any additional federal, state, local and foreign income
tax liabilities with respect to all periods prior to and including the date of
the spinoff. All consolidated federal income tax returns of Pittway have been
audited by the Internal Revenue Service through 1995.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.

TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES

The functional currency of the Company's foreign operations is the local
currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of foreign operations are
translated to U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect on the balance
sheet at December 31, 1998; income and expense are translated at the average
rates of exchange prevailing during the year. There were no transaction gains or
losses in 1998 and 1997.

NET INCOME PER SHARE

The weighted average number of common shares outstanding is adjusted for common
stock equivalents when they are dilutive.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1997 and 1996 financial
statements to conform to the 1998 presentation.

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATE

Effective October 1, 1998, the Company changed its estimated useful life on
goodwill associated with trade show acquisitions from 40 to 20 years. The change
decreased 1998 net income by $0.3 million, or $0.01 per share. The estimated
effect of the change on future years will be to decrease income by $1.2 million.
The change was made to better reflect the estimated useful life of goodwill and
to be consistent with prevalent industry practice.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The Company does not believe any recently issued accounting standards will have
a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 2 - SPINOFF FROM PITTWAY AND
SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION

Prior to August 7, 1998, Penton was a wholly owned subsidiary of Pittway
Corporation. On August 7, 1998, Pittway distributed 100% of the Company's common
stock on a share-for-share basis to holders of Pittway stock.

     Immediately after the spinoff, the Company entered into an agreement (the
"Combination Agreement") and completed the acquisition of Donohue/Meehan
Publishing Company ("DM Publishing"). DM Publishing was acquired for $7.0
million in cash, 6.767% (1,541,638 shares) of the Company's stock to be
outstanding immediately after the acquisition and up to an additional $4.0
million in cash based on DM Publishing's pre-tax income for the years 1998 and
1999, of which $2.0 million was earned in 1998. The Company also has agreed to
make a contingent cash payment to the extent, if any, that the shares issued in
the acquisition have an average aggregate market value of less than $29.0
million during either of two 30-day periods in the year 2000. The contingent
payment is subject to certain limitations as to any of such shares sold prior to
the payment. A portion of the contingent payment may be made with common stock
rather than cash under certain conditions.

     The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the
operating results of DM Publishing have been included in the Company's
consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The excess of
the aggregate purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired
of approximately $32.4 million is being amortized over 40 years.

<PAGE>   20
                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

NOTE 3 - ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

In addition to the acquisition of DM Publishing, the Company, pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, completed its cash tender offer for all of the
outstanding shares of Mecklermedia Corporation ("Mecklermedia") on November 24,
1998. In connection with the acquisition, each Mecklermedia shareholder received
$29.00 in cash for each share of common stock owned. The total value of the
transaction was $273.8 million, and it was funded with the net proceeds
available from the credit agreement dated November 24, 1998 (see Note 6). The
transaction was accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the operating
results of Mecklermedia have been included in the Company's consolidated
financial statements since the date of acquisition. The excess of the aggregate
purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired of
approximately $242.5 million is being amortized over 20 years.

     During 1997, the Company acquired one foreign and two domestic trade show
companies for $45.6 million in cash and $2.5 million of notes payable to the
sellers. The acquisitions also include future contingent payments up to $13.5
million tied to future earnings of the acquired companies through the year 2000,
of which $2.4 million and $0.7 million were earned in 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

     In 1997, the Company also sold one publication for $1.0 million and the
assumption of certain liabilities.

     All the aforementioned acquisitions were accounted for as purchase
transactions. These operations have been included in the consolidated financial
statements from their respective dates of acquisition or to the dates of
disposition.

     The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information is presented to
reflect the effects of the issuance of common stock pursuant to the spinoff from
Pittway and the DM Publishing acquisition, the Mecklermedia acquisition, and the
1997 acquisitions and dispositions, as if all such transactions had occurred on
January 1, 1997.

     The pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes
only, and may not be indicative of what actual results of operations would have
been had the acquisitions occurred as indicated; nor does it purport to
represent the results of the operations for future periods. (Dollars in
thousands.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   For the years ended December 31,
                           (unaudited)

--------------------------------------------------------------
                                           1998           1997
                                      ------------------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>
Pro forma revenues                    $ 303,834      $ 276,671
Pro forma operating income               32,540         15,591
Pro forma net income applicable
         to common shareholders             108         (3,288)
Pro forma net income applicable
         to common shareholders:

             Basic and diluted        $    0.00      $   (0.15)
                                      ========================
</TABLE>

NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES

The LIFO reserve balances of $0.4 million and $0.5 million at December 31, 1998,
and 1997, respectively, represent the excess of current replacement cost over
the LIFO value of inventory, which consists principally of raw materials.

NOTE 5 - EQUITY INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

Penton, in November 1998, entered into a joint venture agreement with Alan M.
Meckler, Mecklermedia's founder, with respect to the limited liability company
Internet.com. Internet.com is a network of Web sites that provides news,
analysis and information resources for Internet professionals. Penton sold an
80.1% equity interest in Internet.com to Mr. Meckler for $18.0 million,
retaining 19.9% of the equity and warrants to acquire up to a 29.9% interest. At
December 31, 1998, the Company's investment in Internet.com was $4.5 million.
Internet.com and Penton also entered into various agreements relating to the
exchange of services between the two companies.

NOTE 6 - DEBT

CREDIT AGREEMENT

     On November 24, 1998, the Company entered into a credit agreement with
several banks under which it may borrow up to $325.0 million. The agreement
provides for a revolving loan facility of up to $25.0 million, a long-term loan
of $175.0 million (Term A Loan) and a long-term loan of $125.0 million (Term B
Loan). The proceeds of the new facility were used to repay the Company's debt
outstanding under a $75.0 million revolving credit facility obtained at the
spinoff date and to purchase Mecklermedia.

     The credit facility is collateralized by receivables, inventories,
equipment and certain real and personal property. Under the terms of the
agreement, the Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios and
other financial conditions. The agreement also prohibits the Company from
incurring certain additional indebtedness; limits certain investments, advances
or loans; and restricts substantial asset sales, capital expenditures and cash
dividends. At December 31, 1998, the Company was in compliance with all loan
covenants.

     The revolving loan facility includes a revolving loan and a swing loan. The
revolving loan requires payment of interest (only) at a Base Rate (determined as
the higher of the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%)
or an Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, at the Company's option, plus a rate margin
ranging from 1.25% to 3.0% based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio,
as defined. At December 31, 1998, the rate on the revolving loan was 9.5%.


<PAGE>   21
                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

     The swing loan, which permits borrowings up to $5.0 million, requires
payment of interest (only) at the Base Rate plus a Base Rate margin ranging from
1.25% to 2.00% based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio, as defined,
less the applicable commitment fee percentage per annum. At December 31, 1998,
no amounts were drawn on the swing loan facility.

     The Company has agreed to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% on the unused
portion of the revolving loan facility commitment. At December 31, 1998, $19
million was available under the facility.

     The Term A Loan bears interest at the Base Rate or at an Adjusted
Eurodollar Rate, at the Company's option, plus a rate margin ranging from 1.25%
to 3.0% based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio, as defined. Interest
is payable monthly; at December 31, 1998, the rate in effect was 7.79%. The
loan, which requires quarterly principal payments of $2.5 million starting in
March 1999, will mature on June 30, 2005. At December 31, 1998, $175.0 million
was outstanding under the Term A Loan.

     The Term B Loan bears interest at the Base Rate plus 2.5% or at the
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus 3.5%, at the Company's option. Interest is payable
monthly; at December 31, 1998, the rate in effect was 8.54%. The loan, which
requires quarterly principal payments of $0.3 million starting on March 31,
1999, and a balloon payment at maturity, will mature on May 31, 2005. At
December 31, 1998, $125.0 million was outstanding under the Term B Loan.

     As of December 31, 1998, the scheduled principal payments of the Term A
Loan and Term B Loan for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Year       Amount
    -------------------------
<S>               <C>
         1999     $  11,250
         2000        11,250
         2001        21,250
         2002        26,250
         2003        31,250
      Thereafter    198,750
    -------------------------
                  $ 300,000
                  =========
</TABLE>

     The credit agreement requires the Company to hedge not less than 50% of the
Term A Loan outstanding with a fixed interest rate agreement for a term of not
less than two years.

NOTE PAYABLE

The short-term note payable at December 31, 1998, of $1.0 million represented
foreign indebtedness, was denominated in British pounds and bore interest at the
Company's foreign borrowing rate (8.2% at December 31, 1998). The note, plus
accrued interest, was paid off in early January 1999.

     The Company's short-term notes payable at December 31, 1997, included $29.2
million of foreign indebtedness denominated in British pounds and bearing
interest at 8.1%, and $5.0 million of domestic indebtedness at 6%. Concurrent
with the spinoff from Pittway, $27.8 million of foreign debt, including accrued
interest and the $5.0 million domestic debt, was refinanced with the $75.0
million revolving credit facility.

     There are no compensating balance or commitment fee requirements associated
with these short-term borrowings.

NOTE 7 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     The carrying amount of accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable,
accrued expenses and notes payable approximates fair value because of the short
maturity of these instruments.

     The carrying amount of the Company's borrowing under its senior debt
facility and revolving credit facility approximates fair value because such
borrowings are at variable rates. The Company may, from time to time, enter into
interest rate hedge agreements to manage interest costs and risks associated
with changing interest rates.


<PAGE>   22

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Source of income (loss) before tax expense:          1998           1997           1996
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>            <C>     
U.S. domestic                                    $ 19,864       $ 25,759       $ 18,482
Foreign                                               269           (253)          --
                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                 $ 20,133       $ 25,506       $ 18,482
                                                 ======================================

Provision for income taxes:                          1998           1997           1996
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current -
  Federal                                        $ 11,214       $  8,124       $  5,541
  State and local                                   2,389          1,630          1,192
  Foreign                                             733           --             --
                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                   14,336          9,754          6,733
                                                 --------------------------------------
Deferred -

  Federal                                          (4,348)           851            711
  State and local                                    (816)            98             82
  Foreign                                              71            (71)          --
                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                   (5,093)           878            793
                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                 $  9,243       $ 10,632       $  7,526
                                                 ======================================

The difference between the actual income tax 
provision and the tax provision computed by 
applying the statutory federal income tax rate
of 35% to income before income taxes is as 
follows:                                             1998           1997           1996
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax at statutory rate                     $  7,047        $ 8,927       $  6,469
Tax effect of:

  State income taxes, net of federal benefit        1,023          1,123            818
  Non-deductible expenses, principally goodwill
     amortization                                   1,173            582            513
  Other items, net                                     --             --           (274)
                                                 --------------------------------------
Actual income tax provision                      $  9,243        $10,632       $  7,526
                                                 ======================================
Effective income tax rate                            45.9%          41.7%          40.7%
                                                 ======================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at
December 31, 1998, and 1997 follow:                           1998           1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>     
Deferred tax assets -
  Deferred pension credits                                $  7,087       $  7,651
  Accrued vacation                                           1,335          1,159
  Bad debts                                                  2,541            805
  Reserves recorded for financial reporting purposes         1,735            826
  Inventory capitalization                                     164             29
  Other                                                        379            252
                                                          -----------------------
    Total deferred tax assets                               13,241         10,722
                                                          -----------------------
Deferred tax liabilities -
  Depreciation                                              (3,312)        (3,640)
  Amortization                                              (9,249)          (164)
  Trade show expenses                                         (196)            --
                                                          -----------------------
  Total deferred tax liabilities                           (12,757)        (3,804)
                                                          -----------------------
Net deferred tax asset                                    $    484       $  6,918
                                                          =======================
</TABLE>

These balances are allocated between "Current assets" and "Other assets" or
"Long-term liabilities" in the accompanying balance sheet.


<PAGE>   23
                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

NOTE 9 - RETIREMENT PLAN

The Company has various non-contributory retirement plans covering substantially
all current and former domestic employees. Retirement benefits for employees in
foreign countries are generally provided by national statutory programs.
Benefits for domestic employees are based on years of service and annual
compensation as defined by each plan. All employees received credit for their
years of service in the Pittway plan. Prior to 1995, Pittway allocated net
pension plan income credits to the Company based upon the assets of a previously
separate Company plan, which was merged into the Pittway plan in 1991. At the
time the plans were merged, the amount of the Company's plan assets exceeded its
projected benefit obligation and, by 1995, such excess ("Funding Excess") had
increased and had become substantially disproportionate to the Funding Excess
for the remainder of the Pittway plan. As a result, for the years 1996 and 1997,
Pittway limited the allocation of net pension income credits to the Company to
$1.5 million per year.

     As provided in the Combination Agreement, Pittway transferred $45.0 million
of its plan assets ("Allocated Assets"), including approximately $10.5 million
of Funding Excess as of December 31, 1997, to the new Penton plan. The amount of
Allocated Assets was determined by Pittway as the estimated proportion of total
Pittway plan assets that would result in the elimination of the Funding Excess
for the Company in the same future year as such elimination for the remainder of
the Pittway plan based on historical rates of service cost increases and return
on plan assets. 

     The "Net deferred pension credits" in the consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 1997, includes deferred investment gains of $29.5 million, which
Pittway allocated to the Company on a basis consistent with the above-mentioned
limitation on previous net pension plan income credits.

     The reconciliation of the funded status of the Company's portion of the
plan follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1998         1997
---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>     
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION
  Benefit obligation, January 1           $ 34,539     $ 32,150
    Service cost                             1,684        1,767
    Interest cost                            2,488        2,226
    Benefits paid                           (3,944)      (2,273)
    Actuarial loss                           7,603          669
                                          ---------------------
  Benefit obligation, December 31         $ 42,370     $ 34,539
                                          =====================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>          <C>     
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
  Fair value of plan assets, January 1    $ 45,000     $ 39,473
    Actual return on plan assets            (3,256)       7,800
    Benefits paid                           (3,944)      (2,273)
  Fair value of plan assets,              ---------------------
    December 31                           $ 37,800     $ 45,000
                                          =====================
FUNDED STATUS OF THE PLAN
  Projected benefit obligation
    (in excess of) less than fair value
    of assets as of December 31           $ (4,570)    $ 10,461
  Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss       (13,368)     (29,500)
  Unrecognized prior service cost            1,612        1,969
  Unamortized net transition asset          (1,681)      (2,522)
                                          ---------------------
  Net deferred pension credits            $(18,007)    $(19,592)
                                          =====================
AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED IN THE STATEMENT
OF FINANCIAL POSITION
  Prepaid benefit cost                    $     --     $     --
  Accrued benefit liability                (18,007)     (19,592)
  Additional minimum liability                  --           --
  Intangible assets                             --           --
  Accumulated other comprehensive
    income                                      --           --
                                          ---------------------
  Net amount recognized at end
    of year                               $(18,007)    $(19,592)
                                          =====================
ASSUMPTIONS AS OF DECEMBER 31
  Discount rate                                  7%           7%
  Expected return on plan assets                 9%           7%
  Weighted-average salary increase rate          5%           5%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   24
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC PENSION COST
                                              1998         1997         1996
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>     
Net periodic cost
  Service cost                            $  1,684     $  1,767     $  1,672
  Interest cost                              2,488        2,226        2,173
  Expected return on assets                 (3,065)      (2,684)      (2,555)
  Amortization of:
    Transition asset                          (841)        (841)        (841)
    Prior service cost                         357          357          357
    Actuarial (gain) loss                   (2,207)      (2,325)      (2,306)
                                          ----------------------------------
Net pension income                        $ (1,584)    $ (1,500)    $ (1,500)
                                          ==================================
ASSUMPTIONS
  Discount rate                                  7%           7%           7%
  Expected return on plan assets                 7%           7%           7%
  Weighted-average salary
    increase rate                                5%           5%           5%
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   25

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

NOTE 10 - BENEFIT PLANS

STOCK OPTION AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED PLANS

Effective August 1998, the Company established a stock option plan under which
the Company may issue qualified incentive stock options to key employees,
including officers, up to an aggregate of 2,500,000 shares of common stock.
Awards may be issued in the form of options to purchase shares of common stock,
stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted shares, deferred shares,
performance shares and performance units. In 1998, 700,452 shares were granted
under the Equity and Incentive Plan, of which 686,055 were stock options and
14,397 were deferred shares. Options granted under the plan generally become
exercisable in the year after the date of grant as to one-third of the optioned
shares, with the remaining options being exercisable over the following two-year
period. Included in the stock options issued during 1998 are 47,655
non-qualified shares, which represent the conversion of the Chief Executive
Officer's non-qualified Pittway options for an equal value of Penton options.
These options vest 50% in 1999 and 50% in 2000. As of December 31, 1998, no
shares were exercisable. The option price of all options granted was $16.23.

     As noted above, 14,397 deferred shares were issued in 1998. These shares
become vested between one and three years. The Board of Directors of the Company
may authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on such shares on a current,
deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or additional shares of common
stock. At December 31, 1998, no such authorization had been made.

     In addition to the stock option plan described above, the Company granted
options for a total of 69,000 shares to its directors who are not employees of
the Company. Such options were granted at the fair market value on the date of
grant. Options with respect to 13,000 shares were exercisable immediately after
grant, and options with respect to the remaining 56,000 shares become
exercisable one year after the date of grant as to one-fourth of the 56,000
shares, with the remaining options being exercisable over the following
three-year period. The option price at the date of grant was $16.23.

     The following table reflects the stock option activity described above (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER OF OPTIONS
                                       EMPLOYEES   DIRECTORS     PRICE
         --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>         <C>
         Balance, December 31, 1997          --         --             --
         Granted                            686         69      $   16.23
         Exercised                           --         --             --
         Canceled                            (5)        --      $   16.23
                                        ------------------
         Balance, December 31, 1998         681         69
                                        ==================
</TABLE>

     The following table summarizes information about stock options at December
31, 1998 (in thousands).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                 OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
         --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Weighted-                 
                                     average     Weighted-                Weighted-
                                    remaining      average                average
         Exercise      Options     contractual    exercise    Options     exercise
         price       outstanding       life         price    exercisable   price
         --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>
         $16.23         750         9.9 years      $16.23         13       $16.23
         ==========================================================================
</TABLE>

     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following assumptions used for
grants in 1998: risk-free interest rate of 5.4%; expected lives ranging from 8.0
to 10.0 years; expected dividend rate of 0.3%; and expected volatility of 70.6%.

     The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 in
accounting for its stock option plans. Accordingly, no compensation expense has
been recognized for its stock option plans. If compensation expense had been
determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," net income would have been
reduced by $0.9 million in 1998 and basic and diluted earnings per share would
have been reduced by $0.04.

401(k) PLAN

Effective September 1, 1998, the Company adopted a 401(k) defined contribution
plan ("Plan") covering substantially all of the officers and employees of the
Company. The Combination Agreement provided for a transfer of assets and
liabilities attributable to Penton employees in the Pittway 401(k) plan to be
transferred to this Plan. The Plan permits participants to defer up to a maximum
of 15% of their compensation. The Company will match 50% of an employee's
contributions up to a maximum of 6% of an employee's annual compensation. The
employees' contribution and the Company's matching contribution vest
immediately. The Company's contribution to the Plan for the year ended December
31, 1998, was $0.4 million. The 401(k) plan was fully funded at December 31,
1998.

SERP

Two executive officers participate in the Company's supplemental executive
retirement plan, which is not tax-qualified. At December 31, 1998, the estimated
annual benefit payable under the plan upon retirement at age 65 was $0.1 million
for both participants, assuming a life expectancy of 80 years and a discount
rate of 7%. At December 31, 1998, $0.03 million was accrued related to this
future obligation, and $0.02 million of expense was recognized in 1998,
representing service costs and interest.
<PAGE>   26
                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases certain office space and equipment under non-cancelable
operating leases. Some of the leases contain renewal options and certain
equipment leases include options to purchase during or at the end of the lease
term. The following is a schedule of approximate future annual minimum rental
payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining
non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 1998 (in
thousands).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         FISCAL YEAR       AMOUNT
         ------------------------
<S>                     <C>      
         1999           $   7,696
         2000               3,899
         2001               1,654
         2002                 809
         2003                 286
         ------------------------
         Total          $  14,344
                        =========
</TABLE>
     For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the total rent
expense (including taxes, insurance and maintenance when included in the rent)
incurred by the Company was approximately $6.5 million, $6.6 million and $6.3
million, respectively.

     The Company has employment agreements with six key employees for terms of
two years, and the ability to extend for additional one-year periods.

     In connection with the acquisition of Mecklermedia, a lawsuit was brought
against the Company by a former shareholder of Mecklermedia for an unspecified
amount, as well as other relief. The plaintiff is claiming that the Company
violated the federal securities laws by selling Mr. Meckler an 80.1% interest in
Internet.com for what the plaintiff alleges was a below-market price, thereby
giving to Mr. Meckler more consideration for his common stock in Mecklermedia
than was paid to the other stockholders of Mecklermedia. The Company believes
that the allegations are without merit and has filed a motion to dismiss the
lawsuit, which is pending.

     The Company in the normal course of business is subject to a number of
lawsuits and claims, both actual and potential in nature. While management
believes that resolution of existing claims and lawsuits will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial statements, management is
unable to estimate the magnitude of financial impact of claims and lawsuits that
may be filed in the future.

NOTE 12 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Combination Agreement provides for Pittway to assist Penton in preparing its
tax returns for 1998 and to assist in other tax matters for fees to be
negotiated.

     Included in the consolidated statements of income is an allocation of
corporate expenses related to services provided for the Company by Pittway. This
allocation was based on an estimate of the incremental corporate expenses
related to the Company's operations for the periods presented and, in the
opinion of management, has been made on a reasonable basis. However, the
allocation is not necessarily indicative of the level of expenses that might
have been incurred had the Company been a separate company. The aggregate
allocated costs totaled $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the
years ended 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company's employees also
participated in Pittway's pension plan (see Note 9). Certain of the Company's
employees participated in Pittway's 1990 Stock Awards Plan, for which Pittway
has allocated costs to the Company totaling $1.2 million, $1.0 million and $1.1
million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

     Other transactions between the Company and Pittway, consisting principally
of taxes and other reimbursable expenses paid by Pittway, have been reflected in
the historical financial statements as though on a stand-alone basis, except
that no interest income or expense has been allocated on intercompany balances.

     Pittway utilized a centralized cash management system. Under this system,
cash generated by Penton in excess of its cash requirements (including cash
requirements for Penton's income taxes and other reimbursable expenses paid by
Pittway) was transferred to Pittway and reflected as "Due from parent company"
in the balance sheet. This account was reduced by dividends declared by the
Company. In August 1998, a final non-cash dividend of $12.2 million was made to
Pittway to settle the "Due from parent company" account.

NOTE 13 - CAPITAL STOCK

Pursuant to the spinoff (see Note 2), the Company amended its certificate of
incorporation on June 4, 1998, to authorize capital stock consisting of 60
million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 2 million shares
of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Immediately thereafter, the
Company recapitalized the 1,000 shares of $1 par value common stock outstanding
into 21,240,000 shares of common stock. An amount of $211 was transferred from
capital in excess of par value to common stock. The financial statements and
related notes have been restated to reflect this recapitalization retroactively.

In connection with the DM Publishing acquisition (see Note 2), 1,541,638 
shares were issued as partial consideration.
<PAGE>   27
                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

NOTE 14 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Effective December 31, 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128"), which
requires the replacement of primary and fully diluted earnings per share with
basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. SFAS 128 also requires
restatement of previously reported earnings per share information for certain
periods presented in the accompanying statement of income to ensure consistency
with currently reported amounts. 

     Computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 are shown in Table 1.

     Options to purchase 750,055 shares of common stock at $16.23 per share were
outstanding at December 31, 1998, but were not included in the computation of
diluted earnings per share because the average market value of the options was
below the exercise price.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 1 (In thousands, except per share amounts)      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Income        Shares     Per share
                                                 (numerator)  (denominator)    amount
                                                --------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>         <C>     
Basic earnings per share
  Net income available to common stockholders      $10,890       21,882      $   0.50
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options and warrants                          --           --
                                                   ----------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share
  Net income available to common stockholders      $10,890       21,882      $   0.50
                                                   ==================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                 -------------------------------------
                                                    Income        Shares     Per share
                                                 (numerator)  (denominator)    amount
                                                 -------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>         <C>     
Basic earnings per share
  Net income available to common stockholders      $14,874       21,240      $   0.70
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options and warrants                          --           --
                                                   ----------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share
  Net income available to common stockholders      $14,874       21,240      $   0.70
                                                   ==================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                 -------------------------------------
                                                    Income        Shares     Per share
                                                 (numerator)  (denominator)    amount
                                                 -------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>         <C>     
Basic earnings per share
  Net income available to common stockholders      $10,956       21,240      $   0.52
  Effect of dilutive securities:
    Stock options and warrants                          --           --
                                                   ----------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share
  Net income available to common stockholders      $10,956       21,240      $   0.52
                                                   ==================================
</TABLE>

NOTE 15 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

As indicated in Table 2 below, the Company has three reportable segments:
Media Services, Printing and Direct Mail. The segments are based on the
Company's internal organization and are managed separately due to inherent
differences in the nature of these businesses. Within the Media Services
segment, operating segments serving differing industries were combined due to
the similarity of their economic characteristics and other factors.

     The Media Services segment serves specific industries and broad markets
with integrated product offerings including trade magazines, trade shows and
conferences, directories, direct mail lists and a variety of other products and
services. Revenues of this segment are generated primarily from magazine
advertising and trade show booth rentals. The Printing segment prints magazines,
catalogs, brochures and direct mail pieces for the Media Services segment and
outside commercial customers. The Direct

<PAGE>   28
                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.

Mail segment serves primarily the pharmaceutical and business services markets
with the ability to design, produce, print and mail direct mail marketing
campaigns. The $1.0 million impairment charge relates principally to this
segment.

     Intersegment revenues are made at approximate arm's-length prices. The
Company evaluates performance based on operating income. Segment assets are
those assets that are specifically identified with the reportable segments in
which operations are conducted. Non-current assets at December 31, 1998, and
1997 included $31.7 million and $30.0 million, respectively, identified with
operations in the United Kingdom, substantially all of which are intangible
assets, with the remaining assets identified with domestic operations.
Non-current assets at December 31, 1996, were domestic. Export sales were not
material and no single customer accounted for 10% or more of sales.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
     TABLE 2 (In thousands)                   1998            1997            1996
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                 <C>             <C>             <C>      
     Total segment revenues:
       Media Services                    $ 207,682       $ 181,109       $ 166,631
       Printing                             39,883          39,092          37,933
       Direct Mail                          13,779          13,370          13,173
                                         -----------------------------------------
                                           261,344         233,571         217,737
     Less intersegment revenues:
       Printing                             28,226          28,566          29,064
       Direct Mail                              --              74             116
                                         -----------------------------------------
                                         $ 233,118       $ 204,931       $ 188,557
                                         =========================================
     Operating income:
       Media Services                    $  26,217       $  24,854       $  17,681
       Printing                                820           1,534           1,270
       Direct Mail                            (318)         (1,091)           (452)
                                         -----------------------------------------
                                         $  26,719       $  25,297       $  18,499
                                         =========================================
     Depreciation and amortization:
       Media Services                    $   7,792       $   3,903       $   3,335
       Printing                              2,324           2,229           2,145
       Direct Mail                             604             419             431
                                         -----------------------------------------
                                         $  10,720       $   6,551       $   5,911
                                         =========================================
     Total assets:
       Media Services                    $ 455,944       $ 130,123       $  79,652
       Printing                             16,373          17,823          18,681
       Direct Mail                           6,984           8,480          10,466
                                         -----------------------------------------
                                         $ 479,301       $ 156,426       $ 108,799
                                         =========================================
     Capital expenditures:
       Media Services                    $   3,996       $   3,741       $   3,339
       Printing                              1,396           1,406             948
       Direct Mail                             383             303             535
                                         -----------------------------------------
                                         $   5,775       $   5,450       $   4,822
                                         =========================================
</TABLE>

NOTE 16 - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-
CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

In connection with the DM Publishing acquisition, 1,541,638 shares of common
stock were issued as consideration for the acquisition.

     In August 1998, a final non-cash dividend of $12.2 million was made to
Pittway to settle the "Due from parent company" account.

     The foregoing transactions did not provide or use cash and, accordingly,
are not reflected in the statement of cash flows.

NOTE 17 - QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

Quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 1998, and 1997
are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1998 QUARTERS                           TOTAL
                                             FIRST         SECOND         THIRD        FOURTH          FOR YEAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>     
Revenues                                    $ 52,485      $ 59,186      $ 52,800      $ 68,647         $233,118
Operating income                               4,665         6,909         4,739        10,406           26,719
Net income                                     2,340         3,681         2,248         2,621(a)        10,890
Basic and diluted net income per share           .11           .17           .10           .12              .50
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997 QUARTERS                           TOTAL
                                             FIRST         SECOND         THIRD        FOURTH          FOR YEAR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>     
Revenues                                    $ 48,666      $ 54,054      $ 50,729      $ 51,482         $204,931
Operating income                               4,857         8,545         5,708         6,187           25,297
Net income                                     2,718         4,875         3,218         4,063(b)        14,874
Basic and diluted net income per share           .13           .23           .15           .19              .70
</TABLE>

(a) Includes $0.6 million after-tax writedown, or $0.03 per share, on impairment
    of assets
(b) Includes $0.6 million after-tax gain, or $0.03 per share, on sale of a 
    magazine

<PAGE>   29

                               PENTON MEDIA, INC.
                 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      Balance at
                                      Beginning               Charge to
                                      OF YEAR                 EXPENSES
                                      -------                 --------
<S>                                   <C>                       <C>
1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts       $2,406                     $282

1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts       $2,069                     $662

1996
Allowance for doubtful accounts       $1,976                     $948
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   30

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

     None. 

                                    PART III

     Information required to be furnished in this part of the Form 10-K has been
omitted because the Registrant will file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 not later than April 30, 1999.

Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     The information set forth under the headings "Election of Directors",
"Executive Officers" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance" in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held on May 7, 1999 is incorporated by reference.

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     The information set forth under the headings "Compensation", in the
Registrant's Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held
on May 7, 1999 is incorporated by reference.

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

     The information set forth under the heading "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 7, 1999 is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

<PAGE>   31

The information set forth under the headings "Certain Transactions" in the
Registrant's Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held
on May 7, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference.

                                     PART IV

Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  The following documents are filed as part of this Report.
 
    1. Financial Statements: The following documents are filed as part of this 
       report.

          Report of Independent Accountants.

          Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997.

          Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31,
          1998, 1997 and 1996.

          Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
          December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.
     
          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
          1998, 1997, and 1996.

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

    2. Financial Statement Schedules: The following financial statement schedule
       of Penton Media Inc. is filed as part of this Report and should be read
       in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Penton Media
       Inc.
       Schedule                                                       
       --------
       II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

          Schedules not listed above have been omitted 
          because they are not applicable or are not 
          required or the information required to be set 
          forth therein is included in the Consolidated 
          Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K were filed on October 16, 1998 and December 9, 1998 in 
    which information regarding Items 5 and 7 of Form 8-K was reported.

(c) Exhibits: The Exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits 
    immediately following the financial statement schedules are filed as 
    part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report.


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

EXHIBIT NO.                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
-----------                -----------------------
<S>                        <C>

     2.1                   Combination Agreement, dated May 21, 1998, by and
                           among Penton Media, Inc., D-M Acquisition Corp.,
                           Pittway Corporation, Donohue Meehan Publishing
                           Company, William C. Donohue, and John J. Meehan
                           (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Registration
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by
                           reference).

     2.2                   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 7, 
                           1998, by and among Penton Media, Inc., Internet 
                           World Media, Inc., Mecklermedia Corporation and 
                           Alan M. Meckler (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the 
                           Company's Form 8-K on October 15, 1998 and
                           incorporated herein by reference).

     3.1                   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                           the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the 
                           Company's Registration Statement No. 333-56877 
                           and incorporated herein by reference).

     3.2                   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed
                           as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein 
                           by reference).

     4.                    Penton Media, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (filed as 
                           Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form S-8 on August 27, 
                           1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.1                   Credit Facility, dated December 12, 1997, between 
                           Penton Media Ltd. and Bank of America (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10. to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.2                   Credit Agreement, dated August 7, 1998, among 
                           Penton Media, Inc., Penton Media Ltd., as borrower, 
                           the lenders from time to time party thereto, Key 
                           Corporate Capital, Inc. as co-agent, and First 
                           Union, as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 
                           10.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 16, 
                           1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.3                   Credit Agreement, dated November 24, 1998, among 
                           Penton Media, Inc. as borrower, the lenders listed
                           therein, as lenders, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as
                           syndication agent, The Bank of New York and Key
                           Corporate Capital, Inc., as co-documentation agents,
                           and First Union National Bank, as administrative
                           agent (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company Form 8-K
                           on December 9, 1998 and incorporated herein by
                           reference).

    10.4(a)                Employment Agreement, dated July 25, 1996, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and Thomas L. Kemp (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.2(a) to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by 
                           reference).

    10.4(b)                Waiver and Release, dated July 21, 1998, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and Thomas L. Kemp (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.2(b) to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by 
                           reference).

    10.5                   Employment Agreement, dated January 1997, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and Daniel J. Ramella (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.6                   Employment Agreement, dated August 7, 1998, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and William C. Donohue (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 
                           16, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.7                   Employment Agreement, dated August 7, 1998, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and John J. Meehan (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 
                           16, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.8                   Employment Agreement, dated July 16, 1998 between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and David Nussbaum (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 
                           16, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.9                   Penton Media, Inc. 1998 Equity and Performance 
                           Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the 
                           Company's Registration Statement No. 333-56877 
                           and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.10                  Penton Media, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan (filed 
                           as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by 
                           reference).

    10.11                  Penton Media, Inc. Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 
                           10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-58677 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.12                  Penton Media, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement 
                           Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's 
                           Registration Statement No. 333-58677 and 
                           incorporated herein by reference).

    10.13                  Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 5, 
                           1999, between Penton Media, Inc. and Thomas Kemp 
                           filed herewith.

    10.14                  Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 10, 
                           1999 between Penton Media, Inc. and Daniel J. Ramella
                           filed herewith.

    10.15                  Employment Agreement, dated February 12, 1999,
                           between Penton Media, Inc. and James D. Atherton
                           filed herewith.

    10.16                  Employment Agreement, dated February 14, 1999,
                           between Penton Media, Inc. and James W. Zaremba
                           filed herewith.

    21.                    Subsidiaries of Penton Media, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 
                           21.1 to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by reference).

    23.                    Consent of the Independent Accountants.

    24.                    Powers of Attorney.

    27.                    Financial Data Schedule filed herewith.

    99.                    Tender, Voting and Option Agreement, dated 
                           October 7, 1998, among Penton Media, Inc. 
                           Internet World Media, Inc., Meklermedia 
                           Corporation and Alan M. Meckler (filed as 
                           Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Form 8-K 
                           on October 15, 1998 and incorporated herein 
                           by reference).

</TABLE>
<PAGE>   32


                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                            Penton Media, Inc.

                                            By: /s/ Joseph G. NeCastro
                                            -------------------------------
                                            Name:   Joseph G. NeCastro
                                            Title:  Chief Financial Officer

Dated:  March 31, 1999

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 and
in the capacities indicated in March 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SIGNATURE                                   TITLE
---------                                   -----

<S>                                         <C>
/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Thomas L. Kemp                              Chief Executive Officer and Director
                                            (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Joseph G. NeCastro
---------------------------------------
Joseph G. NeCastro                          Chief Financial Officer
                                            (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Charles T. Griesemer                        Vice President/Controller
                                            (Controller or Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Anthony Downs                               Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
William J. Friend                           Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Joan W. Harris                              Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
King W. Harris                              Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Daniel J. Ramella                           Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Edward J. Schwartz                          Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Don E. Schultz                              Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
Richard B. Swank                            Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
William C. Donohue                          Director

/s/                 *
---------------------------------------
John J. Meehan                              Director
</TABLE>

* The undersigned, by signing his name hereto, does sign and execute this Annual
  Report on Form 10-K pursuant to a Power of Attorney executed on behalf of the
  above named directors of Penton Media, Inc. and filed herewith as Exhibit 24
  on behalf of Penton Media, Inc. and each such person.

March 31, 1999

By /s/ Joseph G. NeCastro
     ----------------------------------------
     Joseph G. NeCastro
     Attorney-in-Fact

<PAGE>   33
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

EXHIBIT NO.                DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
-----------                -----------------------
<S>                        <C>

     2.1                   Combination Agreement, dated May 21, 1998, by and
                           among Penton Media, Inc., D-M Acquisition Corp.,
                           Pittway Corporation, Donohue Meehan Publishing
                           Company, William C. Donohue, and John J. Meehan
                           (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Registration
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by
                           reference).

     2.2                   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 7, 
                           1998, by and among Penton Media, Inc., Internet 
                           World Media, Inc., Mecklermedia Corporation and 
                           Alan M. Meckler (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the 
                           Company's Form 8-K on October 15, 1998 and
                           incorporated herein by reference).

     3.1                   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
                           the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the 
                           Company's Registration Statement No. 333-56877 
                           and incorporated herein by reference).

     3.2                   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed
                           as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein 
                           by reference).

     4.                    Penton Media, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (filed as 
                           Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form S-8 on August 27, 
                           1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.1                   Credit Facility, dated December 12, 1997, between 
                           Penton Media Ltd. and Bank of America (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10. to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.2                   Credit Agreement, dated August 7, 1998, among 
                           Penton Media, Inc., Penton Media Ltd., as borrower, 
                           the lenders from time to time party thereto, Key 
                           Corporate Capital, Inc. as co-agent, and First 
                           Union, as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 
                           10.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 16, 
                           1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.3                   Credit Agreement, dated November 24, 1998, among 
                           Penton Media, Inc. as borrower, the lenders listed
                           therein, as lenders, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as
                           syndication agent, The Bank of New York and Key
                           Corporate Capital, Inc., as co-documentation agents,
                           and First Union National Bank, as administrative
                           agent (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company Form 8-K
                           on December 9, 1998 and incorporated herein by
                           reference).

    10.4(a)                Employment Agreement, dated July 25, 1996, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and Thomas L. Kemp (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.2(a) to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by 
                           reference).

    10.4(b)                Waiver and Release, dated July 21, 1998, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and Thomas L. Kemp (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.2(b) to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by 
                           reference).

    10.5                   Employment Agreement, dated January 1997, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and Daniel J. Ramella (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.6                   Employment Agreement, dated August 7, 1998, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and William C. Donohue (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 
                           16, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.7                   Employment Agreement, dated August 7, 1998, between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and John J. Meehan (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 
                           16, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.8                   Employment Agreement, dated July 16, 1998 between 
                           Penton Media, Inc. and David Nussbaum (filed as 
                           Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Form 10-Q on November 
                           16, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.9                   Penton Media, Inc. 1998 Equity and Performance 
                           Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the 
                           Company's Registration Statement No. 333-56877 
                           and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.10                  Penton Media, Inc. Director Stock Option Plan (filed 
                           as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration 
                           Statement No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by 
                           reference).

    10.11                  Penton Media, Inc. Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 
                           10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-58677 and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.12                  Penton Media, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement 
                           Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's 
                           Registration Statement No. 333-58677 and 
                           incorporated herein by reference).

    10.13                  Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 5, 
                           1999, between Penton Media, Inc. and Thomas Kemp 
                           filed herewith.

    10.14                  Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 10, 
                           1999 between Penton Media, Inc. and Daniel J. Ramella
                           filed herewith.

    10.15                  Employment Agreement, dated February 12, 1999,
                           between Penton Media, Inc. and James D. Atherton
                           filed herewith.

    10.16                  Employment Agreement, dated February 14, 1999,
                           between Penton Media, Inc. and James W. Zaremba
                           filed herewith.

    21.                    Subsidiaries of Penton Media, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 
                           21.1 to the Company's Registration Statement 
                           No. 333-56877 and incorporated herein by reference).

    23.                    Consent of the Independent Accountants.

    24.                    Powers of Attorney.

    27.                    Financial Data Schedule filed herewith.

    99.                    Tender, Voting and Option Agreement, dated 
                           October 7, 1998, among Penton Media, Inc. 
                           Internet World Media, Inc., Meklermedia 
                           Corporation and Alan M. Meckler (filed as 
                           Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Form 8-K 
                           on October 15, 1998 and incorporated herein 
                           by reference).

</TABLE>