Podcast appearances and mentions of will meara

Will Meara is the founder behind Bingo Loco — the 3-hour bingo rave that sells chaos as an experience and somehow turns strangers into mates in the space of one night. In this episode, Will breaks down how Bingo Loco went from a scrappy experiment in Dublin to a global live-experience machine — running roughly 2,000 events a year, active in around 270+ cities, with a team of ~276 people and ~200+ performers (MCs, DJs and talent) powering the shows. We get into the real mechanics most people miss: why Bingo Loco works as “competitive socialising” (a focal point that removes the awkwardness of meeting up) the win-win commercial model that makes venues want you back how they localise every show so it feels native (Texas ≠ New York ≠ Melbourne) how you keep quality when you're doing 40–60 shows at the same time on peak weekends the experimentation framework Will uses to launch new concepts: design → test variables → stress-test scalability → rollout We also flip the mic: Gary shares why the new studio is built around hospitality — making every step of the guest experience feel effortless — and Will shares the belief most founders won't like: sometimes you need to smash your own structures before bureaucracy kills growth. If you're building in events, community, hospitality, or any experience-led business — this is a masterclass in distribution, localisation, and disciplined creativity. In this episode Why Bingo Loco works as competitive socialising (a focal point that removes the awkwardness of meeting up) The “win-win” model: how to structure deals so venues genuinely want you back How to scale globally without losing the magic: localise everything (music, humour, pacing, crowd expectations) Why “you can't multiply chaos without discipline” (and what discipline looks like backstage) How they recruit and train talent for a 3-hour live show (and why it's so hard to do well) The feedback loops that protect quality: customer feedback + venue feedback + mystery shopping The framework Will uses to launch new concepts: design → test variables → stress-test scalability → rollout Why distribution is the real prize: once you have venues + trust, you can roll out new IP layers fast Founder lesson: too much structure kills growth, too little structure kills scale — and sometimes you must break your own rules Links & resources Guest / company Bingo Loco (official): https://www.bingoloco.com/ Locomotive HQ (Bingo Loco + concepts): https://locomotivehq.com/ Locomotive Live — Bingo Loco page: https://www.locomotivelive.com/bingoloco Will Meara on LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/williammeara Book mentioned Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts) Tool mentioned Brick (phone focus device/app): https://getbrick.app/ Sponsors Nostra: https://bit.ly/nostra26 Azure: https://bit.ly/azure26 Rory's Travel Club: https://bit.ly/rorys26 Chartered Capital: https://bit.ly/49ZuFrk

Hire world-class accountants and in The Philippines. Visit Outsource Direct to scale your operations with higher flexibility, maximum efficiency and much lower costs.Subscribe to the Business Builders Newsletter for the very best ideas I've discovered on business and personal growth.In Series 9, Episode #82, I talk to Will Meara, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Bingo Loco. Will shares the journey of how Bingo Loco transformed from a spontaneous event in Dublin to a global phenomenon with over 200 sold-out shows weekly across multiple countries. The discussion delves into the challenges of scaling a business, creating a unique competitive advantage, and the importance of investing in talent and operations. Will also offers insights into the dynamics of working with co-founders, the lessons learned from his family, and the future growth plans for Bingo Loco.CONNECT WITH CONOR:LinkedInCONNECT WITH WILL:LinkedInInstagramBingo LocoDiscover EO Ireland—part of an international network designed specifically for entrepreneurs. EO Ireland connects business owners for networking, mentorship, and shared learning experiences. Take your business to the next level and join a community of like-minded leaders today at eoireland.org. Empower your entrepreneurial journey!Produced by Jetbooks, Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Apparently, bingo is the newest old craze among young people!Buzz Bingo owns 82 clubs in the UK – and say they're expecting record numbers this Christmas because of all the young people going.So, why is it so popular with younger people?Joining Andrea to discuss is Will Meara, CCO of Bingo Loco, John Purcell from Rock Bingo Cork and Emily Keegan from the Newstalk Newsroom.

#122 - From riding a rickshaw across Pakistan to navigating the treacherous routes of the Sahara on an iron ore train, Will Meara's adventures are nothing short of epic. This episode features the adrenaline-pumping stories of Will, an event organizer and adventure travel expert from Dublin, Ireland, whose passion for exploring unconventional destinations has led him to some of the world's most overlooked and misunderstood places. Hear firsthand accounts of his unique travels and how he balances his professional life as the chief commercial officer of an entertainment enterprise with his insatiable wanderlust.In a deeply moving segment, we explore Will's transformative journey from a childhood marked by fears and anxieties, driven by his late mother's memory, to an adulthood filled with bold exploration. Discover how he overcame the constraints of a cautious upbringing, inspired by his mother's strength and resilience, to travel extensively across over 110 countries. His experiences in socially and politically charged environments, such as refugee camps and war zones, provide profound insights into the realities that exist beyond mainstream media portrayals.We also uncover the fascinating and often misrepresented cultures of the Middle East, sharing Will's personal anecdotes of the surprising hospitality and rich traditions in countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. From practicing the art of taruf in Iran to experiencing the genuine warmth of locals in Pakistan and the contrasts in cultural norms, this episode is a treasure trove of cultural insights. Join us as we explore the essence of traveling off the beaten path and the resilience built through stepping out of one's comfort zone, shedding light on the universal kindness that transcends borders and stereotypes.Be sure and follow Will on Instagram @willmeara.loco and check out his group tours on his website www.readyforroad.com.  You can find me on Instagram @journeywithjakepodcast or check out my Youtube channel @journeywithjakepodcast. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase. Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out.

This week for episode 74 on the show this was a bit of a treat of an episode. I had the pleasure of chatting with the Founder of Bingo Loco, Will Meara. In this episode, we talked about the origins of Bingo Loco, going from college events to for a time, themed bar ownership. Will also explained what the essence of Bingo Loco is?, we also explore the wildest Loco nights they've experienced and discuss the qualities that make a phenomenal host. He has a very intriguing entrepreneurial spirit,so to tune in to hear about his many ideas, events, also his other ventures including adventure travel in Pakistan. Share this episode with a friend who loves great conversations and exciting stories as always remember, you are welcome here on Hartelines. A massive thank you to Will for sharing his incredible life and career.  

What is Up SharkNation!   If any of you have attended a Bingo Loco event in any of the many countries they operate in, you'll know the level of creativity and execution that goes into the events they put on.    Luke and Mark caught up with Will Meara, Co-Founder of Bingo Loco, to chat business, travel and getting out of your comfort zone.    Will, currently in Mexico, is an adventurer, entrepreneur and a heck of a story teller. They cover:   1 . How Will got into the nightlife industry in Dublin during college and how he was frustrated with the usual offerings from the nightclubs there.    2. The genesis story of Bingo Loco and how it has grown as a global business during a pandemic.    3. Travelling in Pakistan and how he ended up on the frontlines of the ISIS conflict, hanging out with the Kurds, as well as the career implications that followed.    4. Travelling in North Korea and his impressions of the country based on his personal experience.    5. They also take a lot of time to talk about how to design a life that you are loving living, whether thats nudist hostels in Mexico or pursuing Psychedelic journey's.   And much more:   You can follow Will's Insta here: https://www.instagram.com/willmeara.loco/   For feedback: Luke@shark.ie   KEEP MOVING FORWARD

Our next guests were inspired on a road trip to come up with a different kind of bingo and they’ve gone global with the idea. Will Meara and Craig Reynolds along with their friend, Stephen Lawless, a psychiatric nurse by training founded Bingo Loco.

How did a group of lads go from being broke back-packers to selling out venues across the world with games of bingo and dildos? Bríd and Fionnuala are joined by two of Bingo Loco's head honchos, Will Meara and Andrew Stanley, to discuss the brand's runaway success.

Leaving Ireland to take a break from it all, Will Meara, along with his dear friend Craig, decided to explore the Middle East, traveling to Pakistan, Iran... and after waking up from a blackout, they found themselves in Northern Iraq on the frontlines of the fight against ISIS. This is their story...  Check out Will's company Bingo Loco too! 

Conor first encountered Will Meara when he was a high energy student representative at DIT and was immediately impressed with his capacity to get lots of cool shit done with a smile on his face! Always a guy we are keen to collaborate with at Connector! Will is an adventure traveller who trots the world experiencing countries through the people he meets rather than the top 10 things to do on TripAdvisor. When William is not trotting around places like Pakistan and Iran, he finds himself putting on early morning dance raves with yoga, massage, mcs, djs, performers dancers and a whole lot more. If that wasn't enough, his latest creation Bingo Loco has taken the country by storm, with a national tour and circuit of Irish festivals. Bingo Loco is a bingo rave with conga lines, bizarre prizes, party vibes and table stomping banter! Connect with Will on ReadyForRoad.com