AMARILLO,TEXAS -- The 81st Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association Convention started Tuesday. Its a great opportunity for independent oil and gas industries to get updates on the business.

They're expecting close to 400 oil and gas producers to attend this year's convention.

Technical classes about challenges, and speeches from local political leaders are part of this year's line up.

However, the hot topic right now is the oil spill in the Gulf and what kind of impact it might have for us locally.

"Regulations and laws will grow out of that spill, it can't help but affect the way we do business. Those kind of concerns are what people talk about during these gatherings and what we focus on throughout the course of the year," said Wayne Hughes with the PPROA.

The convention will continue until about eight Tuesday night, and will continue through Wednesday until 1p.m.