I love it when people ask me what I have planned for South By SouthWest Interactive because it usually means they have noticed some of the cool stuff from years past and are wondering how I can top myself.

Well, SXSWi is just a few weeks away and me and my partner in crime, Sarah Wilbore have been in “head down, plan faster” mode ensuring that this will be the most incredible South By and instead of waiting till after to brag I figured this year I would share ahead of time everything that is planned so everyone leaves Austin knowing what FreshBooks is and can all plan to hang out with us and not stumble over by accident!

So here is the 10 things to keep an eye out for at SXSWi.

1- FreshBooks Airport Shuttle – Yep, this is exactly what it sounds like. We have rented a couple coach buses and will be filling them up and dropping people off at their Downtown Hotels. Shuttles will leave every hour on the 10th and 11th of March. Seats are free but you need to sign up to get in the bus!.

2- FreshBooks 2,000,000 User Party – FreshBooks passed the 2,000,000 user mark a while back and we forgot to tell anyone. So in honor of that, and the fact that we are turning 7 we’ve teamed up with our friends at PayPal to throw a two day long 7th Birthday/2,000,000 user party. It is going to be a pretty typical 7th Birthday party with Clowns, Balloon Animals, Stilt Walkers, Ice Cream, Photo-Booths….oh and Beer. Sign up for Day One March 12th 11:30-3:30pm or Sign up for Day Two March 13th Noon to 4pm!

3-The Freshbooks Ice Cream Sandwich SXSW Showdown presented by LACE – We have teamed up with the super fine folks at The League of Amature Competitive Eaters to host a Ice Cream Sandwich eating contest inside our 2,000,000 user event (see above). This is sure to be a talked about event and even if participating isn’t your thing you should still come to bask in the spectacle! March 12th and 13th from 2-3pm each day. Get in on the fun here

4- Small Business Web Party – FreshBooks is a proud founding member of the Small Business Web and like last year, they are hosting a gathering along with other small business web partners BatchBlue, Mailchimp and more. INVITE ONLY PARTY SO IF YOU GET ASKED TO COME IT MEANS YOU ARE IMPORTANT 🙂

5- SXSW Panel Influencer Throwdown: Proving Influence Once and For All – Advanced discussion around Influence with David Binkowski, Kevin Duggan, Krista Neher, and introducing Saul Colt  – March 13th, 11am at Hilton Salon D

6- SXSW Panel Kill Your Call Center! Bring Your Support Home – Customer Service discussion lead by FreshBooks’ own Jon Spenceley and Frank Eliason – March 13th, 3:30pm at Hilton Salon D

7 – SXSW Panel Friends with Business Benefits: How Integrations Sell Apps – an interesting discussion with Amy Ellis, Chris Lucas, Michelle Ransom, Scott McMullan, Sunir Shah (FreshBooks) on how they’re embracing their competition. March 15th, 12:30 at Hilton Salon D

8- SXSW Workshop Startup Marketing: It’s more then a Twitter Account – This long form workshop will cover many aspects of what it takes to market a startup from people (Alex de Bold, Britta Riley, Dan Martell, Sarah Prevette, Saul Colt) who have actually done it and not just read about it. Tuesday March 15th at 11am Sheraton, Capitol E-H (701 East 11th street)

9- Saul Colt – Im Fun so look for me, I am usually good for a hug or Kiss and am full of jokes and stories. If you ask me I am sure I can create a positive SXSW memory for you!

10- Sarah Wilbore – If you find me chances are you will find Sarah as well. She will be easy to spot as her and I will probably be dressed as identical twins…or have a mime with us. Say hello and ask her something about FreshBooks, you may be impressed with what she says!

I can’t wait to see you all and please take a moment and sign up for everything on this post, you wont be disappointed!

…and Doris.