Alistair Williams
Professor
JWU Faculty Since 2006

Professor Williams joined the faculty at JWU Charlotte in 2006. He was previously Head of Department at the University of Rennes in France, and Leeds University in the UK; and was a faculty member at Huddersfield University, again in the UK. He has also taught in Greece, India and Thailand.
Prior to becoming a professor, Alistair worked in the international restaurant sector as an area manager and business development director, with stints in Spain, Holland, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Africa. He has also worked in brewing for a major UK brewer and in night clubs. His two main foci are marketing and fermentation/ distillation. Professor Williams has a Ph.D. in Hospitality Marketing from Leeds Beckett University, an M.Sc. in consumer behaviour from the University of Huddersfield and a B.Sc. in Hospitality Management from Sheffield Hallam University. Professor Williams is the Managing Partner of the Portrait Gallery Restaurant & Bar, in Matthews, NC.
Education
- Ph.D., Hospitality, Leisure & Retail Marketing, Leeds Beckett University
- M.S., Analysis of Decision Processes, The University of Huddersfield
- B.S., Catering Systems, Sheffield Hallam University
Scholarly Interests
My research underpins my teaching so my main foci of study are marketing and fermentation/ distillation studies. I have published extensively in both these areas, including producing text book, journal articles, conference presentations and papers and giving key note presentations.
Courses
- CUL4045 Spirts and Mixology Management
- CUL3092 Brewing Arts
- HOSP3075 Food Service & Hospitality Strategic Marketing
Extra Curricular Roles
I am heavily involved in local organizations involved with alcohol, such as wine, beer and spirits. I an the Managing Partner in The Portrait Gallery Restaurant & Bar, in Matthews, NC
Professional Affiliations
Global Business Insights Journal
Editorial Advisory Board Member May 2018 – current
Journal of International Business Strategy
Editorial Advisory Board Member Feb 2018 - current
International Council for Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) 2006-current
• Member of marketing committee
• Conference reviewer
• Conference moderator
South East Council for Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education (SECHRIE) 2006-current
• Conference reviewer
Association of North America Higher Education International (ANAHEI) 2006-current
• Conference & journal reviewer
North Carolina Craft Beer Guild 2018 – current
• Education committee member
American Marketing Association (AMA) 2013-current
Charlotte American Marketing Association (CAMA) 2013-current
Charlotte Brewmasters 2013-current
European Council for Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Education (EuroChrie) 1996-2006
• Conference reviewer
• Chair of marketing
Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) 1990-2006
• Conference reviewer
• Member of the executive committee
• Conference chair
Publications
- Williams A.J. (2012) The Hedonistic consumption of luxury & iconic wines, in Wiedmann, K.P. & Hennigs, N. (Eds.) Luxury Marketing, Springer: Hannover.Williams AJ & Atwell G (2020) Knowledge Transfer in the Champagne Industry: A Conceptual Analysis, British Food Journal (Due Dec 2020)
- Williams, A., Atwal, G. and Bryson, D. (2020), "Developing a storytelling experience: the case of craft spirits distilleries in Chicago", International Journal of Wine Business Research, Vol. 32 No. 4, pp. 555-57.
- Williams, AJ & Smith, A (2020) The Economic Impacts of North Carolina Alcohol Legislation and Regulation. An Issue Brief on Behalf of Western Carolina University, Center for the Study of Free Enterprise.
- Williams AJ, Atwal G & Bryson, D (2019) Luxury craftsmanship in the emergent luxury beer market, British Food Journal, Vol. 121 Issue: 2, pp.359-370,
- Williams AJ (2018) Luxury craftsmanship – the emergent luxury beer market, British Food Journal
- Williams AJ (2017) The Experience is Everything, in Advances in Luxury Brand Management. Springer Books: NY
Dissertations And Theses Advised
- DBA Supervisor JWU
Honors And Awards
- 2019 JWU Charlotte Researcher of the year
- 2018 ICHRIE Reviewer of the year
- 2016 JWU Charlotte Researcher of the year