2025 Impact 50 Honoree: Danny Wimmer

DANNY WIMMER
Founder
Danny Wimmer Presents

STAYING GROUNDED : “Started Rock ’n’ Roll Outdoor Running Club.”

Danny Wimmer Presents continues to find a way to grow in a sustainable manner while being calculated and strategic, which, as a company that primarily produces large-scale music festivals, is not easy to do.

Examples this year include record attendance at spring festivals Sonic Temple in Ohio and Welcome To Rockville in Florida, which saw 230,000 total attendees over its four days.

“We know our fans count on our festivals as their vacation, their tradition – sometimes even their bucket list experience,” Wimmer says. “That’s why we’re working hard behind the scenes to operate smarter and find efficiencies, so we can keep delivering the quality they expect at a price they can afford. The reality is, artist fees and operational costs keep going up every year, and margins are getting tighter across the board. Most fans don’t see that – they just know what they can afford. So it’s on us to be sharp, stay focused on the fundamentals, and protect the fan experience in every way possible.”

That can also mean taking a step back, in the case of country festival Golden Sky in Sacramento, where circumstances (and available talent) meant it was wiser to punt now to find the end zone later.

“We’ve got four major festivals still to come in 2025, and our team is laser-focused on making each one unforgettable,” Wimmer says, noting the success of last year’s Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville earning festival of the year awards from both Pollstar and IEBA. This year’s September event is topped by Phish.

An avid runner, Wimmer says it’s important to lead by example and encourage those around you to stay balanced, healthy and inspired, “because when you live it daily, you’re not just talking about culture or balance – you’re showing it.”

2026 could include the introduction of new festival concepts, Wimmer says, and, “Beyond the core festival business, we’re continuing to grow in venue booking, casino consulting, and unique one-off events. There’s a lot on the horizon, and I couldn’t be more energized about what’s next for DWP.”