The six-day festival, the largest of its kind in North America, will feature concerts, master classes on technique and artistic development, lectures and an international competition. The winner of the top prize will receive $7,500, recording contracts and a 50-city concert tour at venues in the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil and China.

The event is expected to attract as many as 800 people with about 30 percent of attendees coming from outside the country, said Stephen Mattingly, UofL guitar professor and convention host.

“It really puts the UofL guitar program on the map internationally,” Mattingly said.

The Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that the event, which was first held at UofL in 2013, has a $1.5 million economic impact for the city.

Concerts will be in the Margaret Comstock Concert Hall, School of Music. Featured performers include:

• 8 p.m., June 18
• , 4 p.m., and , 8 p.m., June 19
• , 4 p.m., and (opener: Youth Guitar Orchestra), 8 p.m., June 20
• , 8 p.m., June 21
• , 4 p.m., and , 8 p.m., June 22
• , 3 p.m., Competition Finals, 6 p.m., and Awards Ceremony, 9 p.m., June 23

Evening concert tickets are $35 for adults, $20 for students and seniors. Packages are also available. to purchase and to see a full schedule of events.