The Convention (The Office)

"The Convention" is the second episode of the third season of the American television comedy series, The Office. Written by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, and directed by Ken Whittingham, it originally aired on NBC on September 28, 2006.

The episode centers around several members of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch traveling to Philadelphia for an annual paper convention. Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, and Jim Halpert attend, along with Jan Levinson. The main plotlines revolve around Michael attempting to one-up Josh Porter, the regional manager of the Stamford branch (which has now merged with Scranton), and Jan's increasing frustration with Michael's unprofessional behavior and her attempts to maintain a business relationship with a potential client.

Dwight, excited to experience the convention, is eager to learn about advancements in the paper industry but becomes increasingly irritated by Michael's antics. Jim, caught between his old colleagues at Stamford and the Scranton team, tries to navigate the awkward social dynamics.

Back in Scranton, Pam Beesly and Andy Bernard have a subplot where they compete to see who can rack up more sales using different sales tactics, with Pam focusing on customer service and Andy employing a more aggressive approach.

"The Convention" is notable for establishing the competitive dynamic between Michael and Josh, further exploring the complexities of Michael and Jan's relationship, and showcasing the initial interactions between Jim and his former Stamford colleagues after the merger. It also provides early glimpses into the contrasting sales strategies of Pam and Andy.