> Yes corporations understand conferences because there’s a benefit to being a sponsor/running one. One needn’t ignore conflicts of interests. Well, there is k

> Yes corporations understand conferences because there’s a benefit to being a sponsor/running one. One needn’t ignore conflicts of interests. Well, there is kind of the point that they will only sponsor relevant events, there's not much point sponsoring an event outside their industry or target market. Also in terms of regulated markets such as healthcare and finance there may be regulatory restrictions on marketing to consumers. Hence it would be easier to sponsor to an industry conference because you would be marketing to industry professionals, and in that context regulatory restrictions on marketing are typically more relaxed because it is implied that the professionals should be wise enough to know when things are suitable. As for the specific case of doctors. As has already been said, they have a strict obligation to their patients first, a fact that is no doubt hammered into them during their many years at medical school.