Dog and Pony Show
An elaborate presentation heavy on spectacle, light on substance — staged for visitors, boards, or acquirers. Everyone involved knows; the performance is the point.
Heard in the wild
“The client visit is a full dog and pony show — clean the lab, hide the whiteboards.”
Tone check: Cliché
Sometimes necessary theater. Just don't confuse the show's reception with the actual state of things.