Ryan Tiffin, an Orlando-based author and guest-experience leader, will co-present a session at IAAPA Expo 2026 titled 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.
Tiffin’s journey to the expo stage began in January 2024 when he joined IAAPA’s mentorship program. That experience, which he recounts in his book Chasing Magic: How Experience Changes Lives and Shapes Leaders, connected him with a mentor who challenged his thinking and encouraged him to pursue opportunities in themed entertainment. Now, less than three years later, he is sharing those lessons with emerging attractions professionals.
The session focuses on how professionals can recognize and develop their influence within their current roles, even without formal authority. Drawing from his field communications work at Cinemark, Tiffin 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. “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.
The presentation’s relevance extends beyond individual career development. In an industry where frontline staff often interact directly with guests, leadership that prioritizes dependability and clear communication can cascade into better guest experiences. By equipping emerging leaders with practical tools, the session aims to strengthen the talent pipeline and foster a culture of trust within attractions organizations.
Tiffin’s transition from mentee to speaker underscores the value of industry mentorship programs and the potential for personal growth to translate into broader impact. His book and session offer a roadmap for professionals seeking to lead from where they are, a message that resonates as the attractions sector continues to compete for skilled talent.
For session information and more about Chasing Magic, visit ryantiffin.com.
