score:15
A visa refusal from the US will indeed have an impact on your future travel. For example, if you ever change your citizenship - or US extends VWP to include your country - you will not be allowed to enter US without visa due to your refusal. Also some countries ask if you ever been refused a visa to any country, and this is generally perceived negatively.
In your case the simplest approach should be to prevent the issue altogether by having an honest talk to your boss and team. In most organizations there would be people willing to jump hoops to visit US - it is much easier for your boss to send to US someone who actually want to go there. I assume since it was possible to switch from another person to you, making another switch should also be possible as well.
However if you still decide to do it as you plan, the best approach would be to hold until the last minute, and submit the incomplete paperwork (a wrong passport - internal passport, or an expired one), so your case is returned without being processed, and you can't resubmit in time.
Be aware that any strategy might have consequences for your job, because your employer would lose the opportunity to visit the conference, as well as lose money. If you're refused a visa for no obvious reason, and the company planned to send you to US in future, this may cost your job too. Or the above, for example - a visa refusal is understandable, but most bosses would probably not like having an employee who can't even submit a proper passport with visa application. Thus politely and honestly raising the issue is probably the best solution.