The second quarter of the year (Q2) is one of the busiest quarters for corporate swag, yet it’s also one of the easiest to underestimate. Just as the holiday vibes wane off, and Employee Appreciation Day has been celebrated, it can be easy to forget that there are other occasions and events that you should prepare for during April to June.

In reality, Q2 is just as packed and busy as Q1! From spring and summer events to onboarding waves and seasonal programs, your Q2 2026 can get busy quickly. That’s why early planning for this quarter, especially if you need custom corporate swag, is essential.

Why Q2 Requires Early Swag Planning

Planning your company swag for Q2 events is important for a couple of reasons. 

First, early planning gives you flexibility. Knowing which events your team needs to prioritize and which require corporate swag items can make a big difference, allowing your team to allocate budget, time, and resources more effectively. It also gives you room to adjust if event details change, which happens often regardless of the quarter.

Second, you have better swag selection. Having a head start will allow you to pick between bulk swag and On Demand swag, as both options will be able to fit into your timeline. You can choose even the most complex swag design, and it’ll still get done, all because you started planning early.

Lastly, planning ahead reduces stress across teams. Marketing, HR, finance, and other decision-makers are often involved in swag decisions, and rushed timelines create unnecessary friction among these departments. Starting early will enable you to have a clear Q2 swag plan, which then makes approvals smoother and workflows quicker. 

How to Build a Q2 Swag Plan That Actually Works

How exactly can you build the best corporate swag plan for Q2? What do you need to consider? What should you prepare? We break these down in this section.

1. Map out every Q2 moment that matters to your team

It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day and focus only on the most obvious events, while smaller but equally important moments get ignored. Check in with your team and make sure that the events that are relevant to your organization are included in your planning.

2. Plan your timeline

Once you have the Q2 occasions that are relevant to your team, the next step is to check how long it will take to produce, customize, and ship your swag items. Doing so will help you account for when you need to place your orders.

3. Choose swag that your team will actually use

What’s the point of sending out the ‘best’ corporate swag that will get discarded after one use, anyway? Always opt for swag items that are functional and durable, so they’ll get used even after the event or occasion. Those are the best swag items.

4. Pick a reliable swag platform partner

If you need swag to celebrate your Q2 occasions, then the best and easiest way to manage it is to have a dependable swag platform as your partner. Choose one that has broad swag offerings and a global warehousing network that can support your events and campaigns.

5. Leave room for last-minute changes or delays

Sometimes issues arise, no matter how prepared you are. That’s why it’s important to consider such challenges in your preparation so that if they happen, you’re prepared to overcome them.

A strong Q2 swag plan isn’t just about ordering more corporate swag items. Rather, it’s choosing the best swag for the occasion.

Key Q2 2026 Occasions Companies Should Prepare For

So, now that we’ve gone over why it’s important and how you can begin your Q2 preparations in advance, it’s time to check the occasions/events that you need to prepare for, as well as the best corporate swag ideas for each.

Spring and summer conferences

Q2 marks the start of the busiest conference season across many industries, especially SaaS, marketing, HR, and tech. Teams move from one event to the next, and logistics become more complex than expected. Booth space is often limited, and shipping deadlines are non-negotiable once event dates are locked in. 

In such events where attendees are constantly on the move, conference swag in Q2 needs to be functional and easy to carry. The most successful conference swag supports the attendee experience, meaning it should fit into a tote or a backpack without effort.

Some swag ideas you can consider for such events are:

• Lightweight tote bags

• Premium but sustainable drinkware

• Quality tech accessories, like a charging cable

• Event-specific kits, with items relevant to the event

Company off-sites and team retreats

Many companies intentionally schedule off-sites and retreats in Q2, before summer vacations and travel conflicts begin. As it’s often considered the last window for teams to gather in person, these events tend to be crucial for culture-building.

Company swag for these off-site events works best when it feels like part of the experience, such that your employees can use it during travel or throughout the retreat.

Make sure to include some of these swag ideas for such events: 

• Travel-friendly kits, including drinkware or blankets

• Branded backpacks

• Company or retreat-themed apparel

New hire onboarding waves

Q2 is a common ramp-up period for hiring. Once budgets and headcount plans are finalized in Q1, you and your team may start to move quickly to bring new employees on board.

Swag plays a key role in how your new hires experience their first days. For remote employees, especially, onboarding swag can be one of the earliest tangible touchpoints with your company. The goal of swag on this occasion is to create a sense of belonging and preparedness.

Some of the swag items you should include:

• Quality notebooks and pens

• Team apparel, like shirts or hoodies

• Desk essential items, such as a mouse pad

Summer intern programs

Summer intern programs typically kick off in Q2, and intern swag has a bigger impact than you might realize. Interns are often highly engaged, eager to share their experiences, and more likely to post about their work life on social platforms. 

This makes intern swag an extension of your company branding! What interns receive often shapes how they talk about your company, both during and after the program. Make sure that your swag items for your interns feel both on-brand and practical.

For this occasion, take note of these swag ideas you can use:

• Casual apparel that can be used at university

• Campus-friendly tote bags or backpacks

• Reusable water bottles

University fairs

Some university fairs take place in Q2 as students prepare for internships and full-time roles. These events are fast-paced and highly competitive, with multiple companies trying to stand out in a short window of time. This is why swag plays a critical role in visibility, especially when conversations are brief.

For this occasion, your swag items should help students remember your brand after the event ends. Items that are practical for campus life tend to perform best, as they get reused daily and seen by their peers.

In this event, consider these swag items:

• Quick grab desk items like notebooks or planners

• Compact tech essentials such as phone stands or cable organizers

• Drawstring bags or slim backpacks for campus use

• Everyday drinkware suited for backpacks

Pride Month

Pride Month takes place in June, making it a meaningful Q2 moment that deserves intentional planning and thoughtful execution. It’s an occasion and an opportunity to demonstrate your company’s values and show visible support for inclusion.

Pride swag should feel considered and respectful, not overly promotional. Your Pride swag can also be tied to internal initiatives or community impact, reinforcing that the gesture goes beyond the swag itself.

The swag items you should include in your list are:

• Apparel with inclusive, minimal design elements

• Limited edition everyday items with Pride accents

• Swag connected to charitable or community support programs

Conclusion

Q2 swag planning works best when each moment has a purpose. Instead of choosing items by quarter, align your swag to each occasion and event for consistency and reduced last-minute stress. Starting early also opens the door to higher quality and smarter logistics, resulting in better outcomes for your team and recipients.

Start your Q2 swag planning with PerkUp today! See how we can help you plan out not just your team’s second quarter but also the rest of the year with premium swag items.