In 1995 a delegation from Ards and North Down Borough, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom attended their first Sister Cities International Conference. Returning in 1996, to promote a Sister City relationship with Ards and North Down Borough, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, they explored Virginia Beach because of the similar port area, military affiliation, and oceanfront tourist attraction. In 1997, they met with Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf and became more interested in twinning with Virginia Beach.
The Waiblingen, Germany / Virginia Beach, Virginia partnership was chartered on September 28th, 2017.