Using org-mode 7.8.03, I've found that exporting to LaTeX has a tough time if you try to skip a header level. For example, to prevent my TODO items being numbered, one method is to make them a lower-level heading, and then make that level un-numbered.
However, if I try the following: * To Do List *** TODO First item *** TODO Second item Then when exported to LaTeX, only the title appears (both TODO items are excluded). I tried make the first title one level lower, like this: ** To Do List *** TODO First item *** TODO Second item * Next Section Now the TODO list exports, though it now treats ** as the section header, so it hasn't solved that problem, and moreover, the next section is omitted entirely.