Founded in 1830 the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Ge- ographers) is a world lead- er in advancing geography and supporting its practi- tioners in the UK and across the world. The RGS - IBG is a regis- tered charity (208791) and membership body with 16,000 members. Lowther Lodge has been the headquarters of the Society for nearly a centu- ry. It’s one of the finest Victoria buildings in Lon- don, an iconic Grade II listed building combining three different eras—the grand 1874 house looking out over Hyde Park, the austere 1930s extension on the corner of Kensing- ton Gore, and the award - winning glass pavilion of 2004 fronting Exhibition Road which has made the Society more open and accessible. Events Along with over 200 events a year the Society holds itself, hire of the building to external organisations for conferences, meetings and debates is a vital source of income. The Society has a dedicated and professional event man- agement team who mange the building and assist in running events. Spaces are very flexible and can be used for exhibitions, dinners, weddings, networking, meetings and conferences. The Home of geography Lowther Lodge Ondaatje lec- ture theatre 21st Century Challenges events take place in the 750 seat Ondaatje lecture theatre, one of the largest in London. Refitted in 2001 by Lon- don architect Craig Down- ie to bring the grade II listed theatre into the 21st century, the theatre pro- vides excellent seating, lighting, audio and video facilities, air cooling and wheelchair access. The theatre also provides a wonderful way of marking the 500 donors who contributed to the refurbishment whose names are recorded on the back of each seat and the generous donation of Sir Christopher Ondaatje after whom the theatre is named. The house is home to the largest and most active schol- arly geographical society in the world, supporting re- search, education, expeditions and fieldwork, policy and promoting public engagement and boasting a huge ar- chive of maps, artefacts and publications. The Society welcomes 150,000 people a year to events and activities and is finding new audiences all the time as it reaches out to those with increasing curiosity about the world and the way it works.