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"The Convention"
Michael meets with an old friend during "The Convention".
Episode No.	30
Prod. Code	03006
Airdate	September 28, 2006
Writer(s)	Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg
Director	Ken Whittingham
The Office Season 3 September 2006 - May 2007
Gay Witch Hunt The Convention The Coup Grief Counseling Initiation Diwali Branch Closing The Merger The Convict A Benihana Christmas Back from Vacation Traveling Salesmen The Return Ben Franklin Phyllis' Wedding Business School Cocktails The Negotiation Safety Training Product Recall Women's Appreciation Beach Games The Job
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The Office (US)

"The Convention" is the sixth filmed and second aired episode of the third season of The Office (U.S. version). Written by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg and directed by Ken Whittingham, it first aired September 28, 2006.

Michael and Dwight from the Scranton branch, Josh and Jim from the Stamford branch, and Jan from Corporate all descend upon Philadelphia for an office supply convention. Michael is bitter that Jim left Scranton for Stamford and tries to one-up Josh at every opportunity. Michael also spreads the word that he's throwing a party in his hotel room that night. Later in the evening, Michael surprises everyone with the news that he has broken Staples's exclusive hold on Hammermill products.

In Scranton, Kelly sets up Pam on a double date with her neighbor Alan, a cartoonist for the local newspaper. Kelly is quietly disappointed that Pam intends to wear just her normal work clothes to the date. On the double date, Kelly appears to be the only one having a good time. Pam chats awkwardly with the cartoonist, who at one point sneaks a peek down Pam's shirt, and they fail to hit it off.

At Michael's party, Jim (the only guest) explains that he did not leave Scranton because of Michael, but rather because Pam rejected him, twice. The two mend their friendship just as other guests arrive.

The Season Three DVD contains a number of deleted scenes. Notable cut scenes include:

• Extension of Ryan going over Michael's convention checklist.
• Michael fondly recalls a convention he attended with Todd Packer.
• Michael points out that he almost worked at a bottle factory.
• Josh declines to comment on Michael and Jan's history.
• Michael describes a high school classmate whom Josh reminds him of.
• Dwight clumsily interrogates Josh about his criminal record.
• Jan invites Josh to her room for a drink. He declines.

• Angela's hair is curlier in this episode because actress Angela Kinsey had so much product in her hair from attending the Emmys, and make-up couldn't get the curl out on the first day of shooting. They had to match the look for every subsequent day of the episode's shoot.^[1]
• This episode originally had a scene with Angela and Dwight in the office kitchen. Producer Greg Daniels stated: "They had a couple lines, there was a pause, and then Angela said, 'I'm late', turned around, and left." This would imply that she may be pregnant. The scene was cut because Daniels ultimately concluded, "It was a big move, but we had it in a show that had a lot of other big moves. ... You don't introduce a C plot line of an illicit office romance and then all of a sudden have one of the characters get knocked up!"^[2]
• Creator Greg Daniels had hoped to get Mackenzie Crook (who played Gareth Keenan in the original British version of The Office) to appear in this episode, but was unsuccessful due to scheduling conflicts.^[3]

For a list of songs featured in this episode, see List of songs featured on The Office.

• Jerome Bettis is actually nicknamed "The Bus" because he has a knack for running over people like a bus.
• Despite what Michael says, it is not Jerome Bettis who is afraid of flying. John Madden is known to travel the country in his bus (which he has dubbed the Maddencruiser). B. A. Baracus was also afraid of flying.
• Michael and Dwight take a train to Philadelphia. Though Scranton is known for its rail history and is home to the Steamtown National Historic Site, there has not been passenger rail service in the area for years.

• The Convention at NBC.com
• Memorable Quotes From "The Convention" at QuotesFromTheOffice.com