In all honesty, it is not as sinister as it seems..atleast that's what I believe.
I hardly doubt anybody pockets the tonnes of money coming from the ticket sales. Organizers and volunteers might exploit their reach by getting free tickets and slipping in free for their friends. Local host (convener) might even get some hotel rooms along with top exec (just a guess here). That's the extent of the cheating that might go, which is not too bad. Now as for making money, the people who make money are the ones who are subcontracted, specially A/V guys, food guys etc. Call me naaive but this is what I know.