It hasn't yet happened to me, but you hear all the time about people having things stolen out of their luggage while traveling. After reading a post where Chris Elliott explains some pretty effective thief-deterrents, I think I know why my stuff generally stays put.
• I usually just take carry-on, so it's not out of my sight.
• If I do check a bag, it's a pretty pathetic-looking critter, not something that screams, "ooh, she's carrying oodles of diamonds."
• I don't generally tote along anything worth stealing, so it's mainly a moot point for me.
But for the worriers/already-been-ripped-off-and-don't-want-to-go-there-again, I like the idea of carrying luggage that looks like it belongs to a kid, too, though your attendees might look at you funny in the hotel check-in and -out lines. And I love the idea of packing a toy badge with an official-looking ID card: “The badge has a distinctive design which looks like a real law-enforcement shield on an airport X-ray, thus discouraging collusion between X-ray attendants and baggage handlers."
How do you ensure your stuff stays in your bag when you and your luggage are parted?