How do bidders create accounts? Are they required to create an account before they can "enter" the auction and place a bid?

Bidders create an account the first time they’re placing a bid. Essentially, they just head to the auction, click on an item to bid on, and then add in their first name, last name, email address and a password. Once they do that once, the system will remember them, and they won’t have to reenter that information for future bids.

If you are having an in-person event, you may want to send out the event pre-registration form to your guests beforehand.