The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce had its best year in 2011, president Mike Daming said.

"And I base that on conversations with former presidents," said Daming, who has served as president since mid-2010 and was recently renominated for 2012. "Brentwood is unique with regards to (the chamber's) partnership with the community."

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It's that relationship with community members that Daming said he is most proud of. Most chambers of commerce stress business-to-business partnerships that foster commerce amongst business owners, Daming said, but, in Brentwood, the chamber aims to also interact with friends and neighbors in the community.

That's why you see more than folks in business suits when you attend chamber events.

"We stress commerce between chamber and community," Daming said. "That's something I take a lot of enjoyment in."

And that's why the chamber helps sponsor events like the Mid-County Family YMCA trivia night, the Brentwood Race to the Square and the concert series in Brentwood Park over the summer, Daming said.

The annual Brentwood Business Expo also allows business owners to interact with residents. It's a way to keep Brentwood dollars in the city, Daming said.

This year, the chamber also:

• Awarded a scholarship to Brentwood graduate Nicole Coates last May.
• Held grand openings and ribbon-cuttings at AAA, Dickey's BBQ and twinOak Wood Fired Fare.
• Celebrated after-hours events at PNC Bank, twinOak, Smith Patrick and DD's Irish Pub.

Daming also credits the chamber as a Brentwood institution that stayed positive amid the financial scandals at city hall in 2011.

"There was a certain level of comfort that the community found in the chamber," Daming said.

In 2012, Daming said it's a personal goal to "restore the city's reputation" through the chamber. He also hopes the chamber will continue to grow the membership, explore ways to draw more community involvement and accommodate more business during the annual expo.

For folks interested in joining the chamber, Daming encourages you to call executive director Christine Albrecht at 314-963-9007. Annual dues are listed on the chamber's website.

Editor's note: Maplewood-Brentwood Patch editor Ryan Martin and advertising manager Rebecca Campbell are both members of the Maplewood and Brentwood chambers of commerce.