Is there any sort of reason to use a memory palace for the WMC names and faces event? To my knowledge, you are given the faces and just have to fill in the names, which would mean that simply being able to convert between names and faces would suffice.
In a lot of ways, this seems like the event where you can create the least advanced systems to still do the job.
You’re correct in assuming that Names and Faces does not require memory palaces. You have to have a system, but it’s a very different kind of system. Most people create an image from the name, and place that image somewhere on the face. When you see the face again, hopefully, the image pops out at you and reminds you of the name. Some people imagine the face as someone else they know, and sort of “morph” the face into the familiar face.
There are a few other really simple systems out there. “Linking” can be really simple, if you’re trying to memorize a list of words, for instance.