Imagine that your global team (located in the US, Europe, and Asia) is having a virtual event for the first time this year. As the HR personnel tasked with organizing the event, you need to ensure that everything goes smoothly—from the agenda to the swag. The thing is, a virtual event takes a little more planning when you want to include swag. There’s no event table where everyone can pick something up, so you need to collect addresses, account for different countries, and make sure the swag items arrive before the event starts.

That extra planning can be worth it, especially when your team opens the same kit during an all-hands, kickoff, or anniversary event, and the swag becomes part of the experience.

So, with that in mind, in this blog, we’ll discuss the 10 virtual event swag ideas for remote employees you can consider, as well as the aspects you need to take into account when planning your swag for remote and virtual events.

What is virtual event swag?

Virtual event swag is the item that you send to your team taking part in an online corporate event. That could include a company all-hands, virtual sales kickoff, remote hackathon, webinar, company anniversary, or holiday event.

The main difference from in-person event swag is where you’re sending it. Instead of shipping everything to one venue, you may need to deliver individual orders to your employees across several cities or countries. This, then, makes shipping and timing just as important as the swag itself.

For companies with teams spread across several locations, a virtual event can still be one of the few times everyone joins the same experience at once. Sending swag gives your team something physical to connect to that event.

What are 5 virtual events where you need swag?

You probably don’t need swag for every virtual meeting, but there are a few events where it can add something useful to your agenda. Here are the top five:

1. The company all-hands

A virtual all-hands is one of the easiest events to build swag around because you already have everyone joining at the same time. If the meeting is tied to a company update, new initiative, or quarterly theme, the swag can then support that moment and give your team something they can use during the call.

Apparel works especially well here. You can send a tee, hoodie, or quarter-zip ahead of time and ask everyone to wear it during the meeting, which gives the event a little more consistency even when your team is joining from different locations. You could also go with something simpler, like a tumbler or desk item, if you run all-hands regularly and don’t want to send apparel every quarter.

If you’re planning one, our all-hands meeting swag ideas guide has more ideas based on the type of event you’re running.

2. The virtual sales kickoff

Sales kickoffs are usually held in person because so much of the event revolves around training, team planning, and getting everyone together before the new sales cycle starts. But if your team is spread across different locations, you may need to run part or all of the kickoff virtually.

You can still give the event the same sense of occasion by sending swag before it starts. Since sales kickoffs tend to have more budget than a regular all-hands, this is a good place for one or two better swag items your sales team can keep using afterward. A quarter-zip they can wear on customer calls, a premium tumbler for travel days, or a backpack they can take to later meetings all make sense.

3. The remote hackathon

Hackathons can be a little harder to plan for because they often bring together employees from different offices, countries, and time zones. Some people may be joining for a full day, while others are working in shorter blocks around their normal schedule.

That makes having an option to choose especially useful. Instead of sending everyone the same fixed swag list or kit, you can open a swag store and let your team choose what they’ll actually use. One employee might want a hoodie, another might prefer drinkware, and someone else may choose a desk item.

You can also build the swag around the way people will spend the day. Headphones, notebooks, tumblers, desk mats, and comfortable apparel all fit naturally into a long working session. If there’s a competition element, you can save a few higher-value swag items or gift cards for the winning teams. For more ideas, our hackathon swag guide covers what you can send before, during, and after the event.

4. The milestone or anniversary event

Company anniversaries and other major milestones give you more room to make the swag specific to the occasion. Instead of sending your usual logo tee or bottle, you can build a small collection around the year, company history, or the milestone itself. For instance, a custom jacket, commemorative tee, pin, patch, or art print gives your team something tied to a specific point in the company’s history rather than another general company swag item.

5. The virtual conference or webinar series

Virtual conferences and webinars work differently because you’re usually dealing with an external audience rather than your own employees. You may have hundreds or thousands of registrations, but you probably won’t have everyone’s address, and a portion of the list may never attend.

Because of that, it rarely makes sense to send physical swag to every person who registers. You can reserve higher-value swag for speakers, sponsors, customers, or attendees who complete a certain action during the event. For example, someone who attends the full session or wins a giveaway could receive a swag link afterward.

• 

  

  Microsoft CAP Offsite Swag

• 

  

  Solo.io Hackathon Prize Kits

• 

  

  Microsoft BIC 2026 Intern Kit

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  Internal team swag

• 

  

  Udemy APAC Marketing Swag

• 

  

  Hostaway Event Giveaway

• 

  

  Alianza Navigate 2026 Swag

• 

  

  Buildkite Employee Gift Box 2026

• 

  

  KLDiscovery EMEA Swag

• 

  

  Microsoft Premium Letterman Jackets

What are the three ways to incorporate swag into a virtual event?

Swag works better when you give people a reason to use it during the event instead of simply shipping it beforehand. Here are a couple of ways you can do that:

1. Add a “do not open yet” sticker - If you’re sending a swag kit before the virtual event, give your team a reason to wait before opening it. A simple note or sticker on the packaging can turn the swag into something everyone opens together. This works especially well for all-hands, kickoffs, and anniversary events where you already have a set moment in the agenda.

2. Build in time to open the swag together - Don’t assume your team will know when to open the event swag kit. Set aside a few minutes near the beginning of the event and make it part of the run of show. You can introduce what’s inside, explain why you chose it, or tie one of the items back to the event theme.

3. Give employees some choice when it makes sense - Sending everyone the exact same thing is simple, but it doesn’t always work well for apparel or larger teams with different preferences. A swag store lets your employees choose their own size or pick from a smaller approved collection before the event. You can still keep the overall look consistent without guessing what each person wants.

What are the 10 swag ideas for virtual events?

1. Eddie Bauer Performance Polo ($37.98)

Best for: virtual sales kickoff, milestone or anniversary event

Polos work especially well for virtual sales kickoffs because your sales team can keep wearing them for customer calls, conferences, and later company events. This Eddie Bauer style uses a 4.7-ounce cotton-poly double knit that wicks moisture, helps with odor, and resists wrinkles. The logo also goes on the sleeve cuff instead of across the chest, which keeps the branding more subtle.

2. Gildan Softstyle Midweight Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt ($23.82)

Best for: company all-hands, remote hackathon

If you’re sending apparel to a larger employee group, this Gildan hoodie gives you a lower-priced option without feeling too lightweight. The 8.4-ounce fabric works well for tech companies, startups, and other teams with a more casual dress culture.

For a law firm, finance company, or another more formal workplace, you may want to go with a polo or quarter-zip instead. The event matters, but so does what your team would normally wear.

3. TYESO REVIVE Sports Hydration Bottle | 25 oz ($38.75)

Best for: remote hackathon

TYESO is worth considering if you want something outside the drinkware brands your employees may already own. The 25 oz size works well for everyday use, while the foldable handle makes it easier to carry around the house, office, or gym.

If you’re sending to employees in India, plan to source aluminum or steel drinkware domestically rather than importing it.

4. YETI Rambler 20 OZ Tumbler W/ MagSlider Lid ($28.75)

Best for: milestone or anniversary event, virtual sales kickoff

The YETI Rambler is one of the drinkware options our CSMs recommend most often. The 20 oz size works for coffee or cold drinks without being too large for a desk, and the double-wall insulation and dishwasher-safe construction make it easy to use every day.

5. Desk Mate Organizer with Bluetooth Speaker and Hub ($12.98)

Best for: virtual conference or webinar series

Desk swag makes sense for a virtual event because your employee can use it in the same place they’re joining from. This organizer combines a Bluetooth speaker, phone stand, charging hub, pen holder, and built-in microphone, so it can stay useful after the event instead of taking up space as another decorative item.

6. Stitched Mouse Pad ($5.99)

Best for: company all-hands

A mouse pad works well when you need a lower-cost swag item for a recurring all-hands or something small to add to a larger kit. This one has a rubber base, stitched edges, and full-color sublimation, which also gives you more room to use event artwork instead of placing a small logo in the corner.

7. Custom Dress Crew Socks ($9.24)

Best for: company all-hands, virtual conference or webinar series

Socks are easy to add to a virtual event send because you don’t have to collect detailed sizing, and they add very little weight to the shipment. These use a woven design instead of printing, so the branding holds up better over time. They can work as a smaller standalone send for a recurring event, but they make more sense alongside another item in a larger kit.

8. Anker Nano Power Bank (5K, MagGo, Slim) ($59.99)

Best for: virtual sales kickoff

For a larger annual event, a recognized tech brand can be worth the extra spend. The Anker Nano Power Bank has a slim magnetic design and Qi2 compatibility, so it’s something your employees can keep using for travel and everyday charging. If you’re sending internationally, check your destination list first because lithium batteries come with additional shipping restrictions in some countries.

9. Rupt Echodeep Outside Noise Reduction Headphones ($46.67)

Best for: remote hackathon

Headphones fit naturally into hackathons, workshops, and other virtual events where your team may spend several hours online. The Echodeep offers up to 30 hours of playtime, 40mm drivers, and a foldable design, so employees can also use it for regular meetings or focused work afterward.

10. OGIO Forge Pack ($80.48)

Best for: virtual sales kickoff, milestone or anniversary event

A backpack makes more sense for higher-budget events like sales kickoffs, company anniversaries, or annual meetings. The OGIO Forge Pack includes a laptop compartment, padded back panel, and luggage pass-through, so your team can use it for work travel whenever they meet in person again.

How far in advance should you ship swag for a virtual event?

The answer depends on the swag order type you’re going for. As such, here are the different types of swag you can use for your virtual event and their corresponding timelines.

For an event with a fixed date, try to have everything arrive two or three days early. That gives you some room for delayed deliveries without waiting until the event has already started. International shipments may need more time depending on the destination and what you’re sending, so make sure to consider that as well.

Three ways to time the send

1. Let employees claim the swag during the event - Keep the swag in inventory and share a redemption link when the virtual event starts. This works well when you don’t have complete addresses yet or aren’t sure exactly who will attend.

2. Produce in bulk and ship before the event - Place the bulk order five to six weeks ahead, then start sending the swag or the kits roughly two weeks before the event. This gives you the best chance of having everyone receive the same swag before a shared opening.

3. Use On Demand when sizes or preferences vary - Send the reward link about four weeks before the event and let your employees choose their own size or swag. Most orders then have enough time to arrive before the virtual event then.

For early-year events, start even earlier. Production schedules tend to get tighter toward the end of the year due to the holidays, so a January kickoff can already feel rushed if you wait until October or November to approve the swag.

• 

  

  Microsoft CAP Offsite Swag

• 

  

  Solo.io Hackathon Prize Kits

• 

  

  Microsoft BIC 2026 Intern Kit

• 

  

  Internal team swag

• 

  

  Udemy APAC Marketing Swag

• 

  

  Hostaway Event Giveaway

• 

  

  Alianza Navigate 2026 Swag

• 

  

  Buildkite Employee Gift Box 2026

• 

  

  KLDiscovery EMEA Swag

• 

  

  Microsoft Premium Letterman Jackets

How much should you budget for virtual event swag?

Your budget will depend on the type of event and how often you run it. A monthly all-hands may only need one useful swag item, while an annual sales kickoff or company anniversary can justify a larger swag kit.

Under $25 per person

Best for: recurring all-hands, webinars, and casual team events

At this budget, a mouse pad, socks, desk organizer, or gift card can work well. You can also use this range for smaller additions to an existing event program.

$25 to $75 per person

Best for: quarterly events, hackathons, and virtual holiday events

This range gives you room for a hoodie, premium drinkware, headphones, or a small swag kit with a few useful swag items.

$100 to $150 per person

Best for: sales kickoffs, annual company events, and major anniversaries

With more budget, you can focus on one or two higher-value items, such as premium apparel paired with a backpack, bag, or drinkware.

Run a Virtual Event Swag Program on PerkUp

The harder part of virtual event swag usually comes after you choose the swag items. That’s because of a couple of things: you still need to collect employee information, account for different countries, get everything produced, and make sure orders arrive before the event.

PerkUp gives you a few ways to handle the send depending on what you’re planning.

• You can use On Demand swag when you want your employees to choose their own apparel size and/or need a one-unit minimum. For larger quantities, bulk swag gives you more decoration options and lets you produce the inventory ahead of time. If everyone needs the same kit, you can build it in bulk, store it with PerkUp, and start shipping before the event.

• For events where choice matters more, a PerkUp swag store can include both bulk and On Demand swag so your employees can choose what they want from the collection. Gift cards can also cover attendees you can’t reach with physical swag in time.

• If your team is spread across several countries, PerkUp delivers through local distribution from suppliers and warehouses in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Dubai, and ships to 100+ countries. That way, each order goes out as a local delivery from the warehouse closest to your employee instead of every order shipping from the same country. If your swag is produced centrally, PerkUp bulk ships it into each region, with PerkUp or its partners acting as the importer of record. PerkUp also prepays duties wherever possible for any package that crosses a border on its own.

• The platform’s event swag features can also help you monitor the event date, production, and delivery timeline together. 

• You can also connect PerkUp to 200+ integrations, including HRIS platforms, so you don’t have to maintain a separate employee list for every event.

• If your event needs custom artwork or swag that isn’t already in the catalog, PerkUp’s custom sourcing can help you create fully custom swag. The platform’s in-house designers can help with the creative side, too!

Virtual events PerkUp clients have run

LS Power

LS Power produced its swag in bulk ahead of virtual events and keeps the inventory ready to ship when the date gets closer. Past sends have included Stanley drinkware, tote bags, socks, umbrellas, power banks, and lunch bags. That mix works well for a virtual event because it avoids heavy sizing requirements while still giving employees swag they can use at home, at work, or when they travel.

Cornerstone OnDemand

For its 25th anniversary, Cornerstone OnDemand used PerkUp to create a full collection of various swag items that their team could redeem in a virtual metaverse during the event. 

Conclusion

Virtual event swag works best when you plan it alongside the event rather than adding it once everything else is set. The type of event should shape what you send, how much you spend, and whether everyone gets the same kit or chooses their own swag. From there, give yourself enough time to collect addresses and sizes, account for employees in different countries, and have everything arrive a few days before the event. If you want everyone opening the same kit together, plan around that moment. If your team would rather choose a swag store or On Demand send may make more sense.

Ultimately, the goal is for the swag to feel connected to why everyone is meeting in the first place and still be useful after the call ends.

If you already have an event date and know roughly how many people you’re sending to, schedule a demo with PerkUp, and we can help you plan the send around that timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions about Virtual Events

Can you send virtual event swag to employees in different countries at the same time?

Yes. PerkUp delivers through local distribution and ships to 100+ countries from warehouses in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Europe, India, China, Hong Kong, Australia, and Dubai. For a global event, each order goes out as a local delivery from the warehouse closest to your employee instead of everything shipping from one warehouse. If your swag is produced centrally, PerkUp bulk ships it into each region, with PerkUp or its partners acting as the importer of record, which keeps delivery easy to manage across several countries.

Who pays customs and duties on an international swag send?

If you work with PerkUp, most swag goes out as a local delivery from the warehouse closest to your employees. When swag is produced centrally, PerkUp or its partners act as the importer of record and handle the duties before it reaches that warehouse. For any package that crosses a border on its own, the platform prepays duties wherever possible, so your employees usually won’t need to pay customs charges when their swag arrives. If an unexpected customs or duty fee does come up, PerkUp reimburses it in full. For On Demand swag, the price also includes the swag item, decoration, shipping, taxes, and all available sizes, which makes it easier to understand what you’re spending before you send.

Can employees choose their own swag instead of getting the same kit?

Yes, and the easiest way to do it is through a swag store where you can give your employees a set collection and have them choose their own swag, size, and color. You can set it up with a monetary budget, where employees see how much they have to spend, or use an item-based setup where prices stay hidden, and they simply choose from the approved options.

How do you cap the budget for a virtual event send?

PerkUp lets you set limits for the overall program, decide how much each employee can spend, and control how much individual managers can grant. That gives you room to run different types of virtual events without using the same budget for everyone. You might set a smaller amount for a recurring all-hands and a higher allowance for an annual kickoff or company anniversary. You also aren’t charged for unused credits, so if someone doesn’t redeem their reward, you don’t end up paying for swag they never ordered.

What works for finance and fintech teams running virtual events?

For finance and fintech teams, it usually makes sense to choose swag that employees can use beyond the event. Premium drinkware, tech accessories, bags, and other travel swag can all work well for sales kickoffs, customer events, and company meetings.

The platform side may matter just as much as the swag. If your procurement or security team has requirements around employee data, addresses, or platform access, include those questions early when you’re planning the program. PerkUp has a SOC 2 Type II security to ensure your company data is handled strictly.

Should virtual event swag be different from in-person event swag?

Usually, yes, because people receive and use the swag differently. At an in-person event, attendees have to carry everything around and eventually take it home, so smaller and lighter swag can be easier. For a virtual event, you’re sending directly to your employee, which gives you more room for desk swag, drinkware, comfortable apparel, or a larger kit. You also have to think more about individual shipping with a virtual event. Instead of sending one bulk order to a venue, you may be coordinating deliveries to hundreds of separate addresses.