IBM spent money on crazy stuff in the olden times. Early in my career I went to a 3 day dog and pony show at an IBM hotel outside of NYC.

I’m pretty sure the whole thing was an end run around ethics rules. My employer “paid” for the hotel, and the meals were charged at the GSA unreceipted per diem rate, so total cost was a bargain at <$100 night with steak dinners morning noon and night.