Educators in Toronto are defending their decision spend about $125,000 on a conference at the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, saying it is vital for professional development and teacher morale.

The meeting will be the first time the Toronto District School Board's teachers, support staff and trustees will meet under one roof. Some 20,000 people who work in the education system are expected to attend the conference, which got underway at 11:30 a.m.

Sheila Cary-Meagher, trustee for Ward 16, said the tens of thousands of dollars spent on the one-day event is money well spent.

"It's an investment in better productivity. I mean, like, hello? What could be more sensible?" she said.

However, trustee Josh Matlow doesn't see much sense in holding the event and he will not be attending.

"Every year when we are telling parents that we don't have enough money for the basic things that they want for their kids, to just turn around the next day and spend tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars on a rally — as inspirational as it might be — sends the wrong message," said Matlow, who is currently running for council in Ward 22 St. Paul's.

The event was originally supposed to cost $345,000 before it was scaled back after the bill sparked controversy.

Nevertheless, attendees will be treated to some high-profile Canadian entertainment, including a performance by teenage jazz singer Nikki Yanofsky and the Canadian Tenors.

"You cannot put a price on inspiration," said Avis Glaze, among the speakers who will address teachers on Wednesday.

"There's nothing more important than face-to-face communication. So I congratulate the director and the board for having the vision to bring people together. They will never forget this day," said Glaze, a top educator who is the founding CEO of Ontario's Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat.

Other speakers who are scheduled Wednesday include the director of the school board, Dr. Chris Spence, and prominent philanthropist Marc Kielburger.