Abstract: In one implementation, an online auction for a cohort of users that have a pre-established association with a scheduled experience may be provided. The cohort associated with the scheduled experience may be determined. The cohort may comprise a plurality of users that have a pre-established association with the scheduled experience. Auction information related to an auction for one or more items may be received. One or more users of the cohort may be associated as participants of the auction. The auction may be conducted for the one or more items.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for conducting an online auction via a social networking forum for a cohort of users that have a pre-established association with an experience scheduled to occur at a predetermined time, a predetermined date and a predetermined location. The system may provide a social networking forum that facilitates social networking communications amongst members of the forum combined with auction capabilities that provide items that may be relevant to its members. Users in the cohort may join the social networking forum as members. The social networking forum may provide a supplier of an item for auction with a target audience that may be interested in the item by virtue of their pre-established association with an experience. Similarly, from the perspective of a member of the forum, the system may provide an auction that includes items that may be of interest to the member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for facilitating creation of an ad hoc social networking forum for a cohort of users based on a determination of whether an ad hoc social networking forum associated with the cohort exists. Responsive to receiving a request from a user of the cohort to join a social networking forum associated with the cohort, a determination may be made as to whether a social networking forum associated with the cohort has already been created. A social networking forum associated with the cohort may be created responsive to a determination that a forum associated with the cohort has not yet been created. The user may be added as a member of the newly created forum.