Appearing on WTTW's Chicago Tonight, CFL President Dennis Gannon defended the working men and women at McCormick Place saying no one understands more than organized labor the importance of the 66,000 jobs and $8 billion in annual economic activity generated by McCormick Place and Navy Pier.  

Saying it's easy for people to blame union members for the cost of business at McCormick Place, Gannon said the unions have changed their contracts time and again to lower costs and make work rules more flexible for exhibitors. Everything must be on the table, from A to Z, to develop a more competitive business model for the city's convention industry.