Pocono News Section

The Office Convention: Day 2

The Office Convention: Day 2 - Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 12:55PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 @12:55am EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY --A pumped-up crowd welcomed cast members to the first “The Office” Convention where everyone's favorite party planner, “Angela” cut the ribbon and thanked her fans. "I love you guys. We are so happy to be in Scranton and I thank you for supporting the show.”

Although shot in L.A.; the fictional paper company, Dunder-Mifflin, is set in Scranton. This weekend several thousand fans flocked to the Electric City from as far away as Florida, Washington and Dublin, Ireland. Kate Ibbestson drove from West Chester. “The Office is my favorite show. I love it so much. I could not wait for this weekend."

Actors Creed Bratton, Oscar Nunez and Leslie David Baker signed hundreds of autographs but didn't mind. Baker says "it's a dream come true. Everyone is so nice and kind and welcoming. We're thankful they've responded so positively to the show."

Meanwhile fans fought for gold in Office Olympics --a nod to a favorite season two episode. The publicity the show has generated for this old coal city--on the verge of a renaissance --is too good to be true for locals. Mayor Chris Doherty says “there are people from all over the country who now know about our city and will tell their friends and family, what a great city Scranton is." And one refrigerator repairman has already learned. Robert Shafer who plays Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration says "I'm moving here. Leaving Hollywood and coming to Scranton."

The city has become such a popular character on the show, city officials say anything with the word “Scranton” on it is now a hot commodity.