There was really nothing they could have done about the multiple (three) elevators needed; at least I don't think there was. The builders could have made things much better by making the lower level elevators in the West Tower go up to level two. Then, I think it would have been possible to get between any two locations with "only" two elevators. But once the building were built ... And they couldn't not use one of the towers because that wouldn't have given them enough rooms. In a sense it is easier for a smaller convention in one venue. This Worldcon really should have been looked at as being in two hotels connected by a couple of walkways.

As to the joke program items, I think it was a Chicago "in" joke that fell very flat. Why they felt they need to do it in the first place, I don't know.