Wrong way to attract people to attend a seminar

I attended a seminar recently on investment-linked product. It was organised by a few important organisations.

There was no charge for the seminar. More than 500 people attended.

The organiser gave an attractive goodie bag (worth $15) and a sumptious meal (worth another $15). Some of the attendees appear to be regular attendees at these seminars.

Do we need to spend so much money to organise the seminar? Are we attracting the wrong people who attend for the wrong reason?