When Ryan Tiffin joined IAAPA's mentorship program in January 2024, he was seeking guidance in the attractions industry. Less than three years later, the Orlando-based author and guest-experience leader will take the stage at IAAPA Expo 2026 to share what he has learned about leadership with emerging professionals. Tiffin will co-present Leading Before the Title: Building Trust, Influence, and Impact alongside Joseph Shepard, Finance & Development Manager at Time Mission. The session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern in Room W303ABC at the Orange County Convention Center.
The presentation draws directly from Tiffin's experience as a mentee. In his book, Chasing Magic: How Experience Changes Lives and Shapes Leaders, Tiffin recounts joining IAAPA and connecting with a mentor who challenged his thinking and encouraged him to pursue opportunities in themed entertainment. That mentorship journey now informs a broader conversation about how professionals can recognize and develop their influence within their current roles, regardless of their job titles.
Tiffin's perspective is grounded in practical experience. The book traces lessons from his field communications work at Cinemark, where he describes becoming someone business partners consulted before sending updates to theatre teams. He earned credibility through an understanding of timing, clarity, and the operational demands behind each message. As Tiffin writes in Chasing Magic, "Leadership is not about being impressive. It is about being dependable." That emphasis on everyday behavior connects directly to the session's focus: taking ownership, communicating clearly, following through, and building trust with colleagues and managers.
For attractions professionals, these behaviors carry significant implications. The session will explore ways to lead without formal authority and help participants develop a personal leadership action plan to bring back to their teams. Such behaviors influence both the employee experience and the service guests receive, making the topic relevant across the industry. The session arrives as IAAPA continues to invest in mentorship and professional development, and Tiffin's trajectory from mentee to Expo speaker illustrates how structured mentorship can accelerate leadership growth.
Attendees seeking session information and more about Chasing Magic can visit ryantiffin.com. The session offers a tangible takeaway for emerging leaders: a personal action plan for building influence before the title arrives.
