In January 2024, Ryan Tiffin joined IAAPA's mentorship program. Less than three years later, the Orlando-based author and guest-experience leader will share lessons from his own development with emerging attractions professionals at IAAPA Expo 2026. Tiffin will co-present Leading Before the Title: Building Trust, Influence, and Impact with Joseph Shepard, Finance & Development Manager at Time Mission. The session takes place Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern in Room W303ABC at the Orange County Convention Center.
The announcement matters because it underscores a shift in how the attractions industry cultivates leadership. Rather than relying solely on formal titles, the session emphasizes that influence can be built from any role. Tiffin's journey from mentee to Expo speaker illustrates that professional growth often stems from seeking mentorship and applying lessons in real time. For an industry that depends on seamless guest experiences, developing leaders at all levels is not just a nice-to-have—it is a competitive necessity.
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. His upcoming session brings that experience into a conversation about how professionals can recognize and develop their influence within their current roles. The book also traces lessons from Tiffin's field communications work at Cinemark. He describes becoming someone business partners consulted before sending updates to theatre teams, earning credibility through an understanding of timing, clarity, and the operational demands behind each message.
"Leadership is not about being impressive. It is about being dependable," Tiffin writes in Chasing Magic. 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. Participants will explore ways to lead without formal authority and develop a personal leadership action plan to bring back to their teams.
For attractions professionals, those behaviors influence both the employee experience and the service guests receive. When frontline staff feel trusted and see their managers modeling dependability, they are more likely to deliver the kind of memorable interactions that drive repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth. The session's practical approach—asking attendees to leave with an action plan—suggests IAAPA is betting on tangible outcomes rather than abstract inspiration.
Tiffin's trajectory also highlights the value of IAAPA's mentorship program as a pipeline for speakers and thought leaders. By elevating someone who recently walked the expo floor as a mentee, IAAPA signals that the industry's future leaders are already among its ranks. For session information and more about Chasing Magic, visit ryantiffin.com.
